By George Davis
Harlequins Head Coach Danny Wilson has heaped praise on 22-year-old prop Fin Baxter ahead of their visit of last season’s finalists Bath. Baxter was included in Steve Borthwick’s most recent training squad for the upcoming Nations Series in what has been a meteoric rise for the young loose-head.
“It amazes me the level he is performing, week in, week out. He didn’t have a long preseason and in games I’m not exaggerating when I’m saying his performance has been outstanding,” added Wilson.
The loosehead scored last time out in a bruising 17-10 victory over rivals Saracens, but it’s the work around the pitch that stands out to his head coach. The amount of work he is getting through for a loosehead, on top of his set piece work, being dominant in collisions, scoring tries. This kid is so exciting.”
But Wilson is careful not to put too much pressure on the youngster with a busy schedule coming up.
“It’s also important to recognise there is still a long way to go with him, to be consistent at this level and to go to Sarries to Bath for example and still perform, and then go off with an England set up is a lot for a young man. He’s a young man who will take it in his stride and I’ve been very impressed with him.”
Next up for Baxter and co is a visit from last season’s finalists, Bath, in what should be another tough encounter.
“(They will test us) On the physical elements of the game, the carrying presence of (Alfie) Barbeary, (Ollie) Lawrence and (Jaco) Coetzee will be tough. On top of that they have a running game with Finn Russell added to a kicking game with Russell and whoever they play at nine,” said Wilson.
“Their defence has improved over the last couple of years They are a good side, there is a reason they made the final and there’s a reason they were as close as they were and have now started the season well.
“I think Johann van Graan and Lee Blackett have done a great job and along with their very tough squad it will be a challenge.”
Saturday’s game is also back at The Stoop for the second time in two weeks.
“It makes a big difference, jumping from a 6 day turn around with being on a bus for however many hours with hotels and so on means that the comforts of the boys being at home and not having to travel is big.
“The biggest factor is The Stoop, the fans there make the difference, we love what we have there when it’s packed out on great occasions. To have two there in two weeks is rare, probably the only time we will get that again, depending on Europe.
“And we have just beaten Sarries here and we want to show that it won’t be a kind of one-off game and then have a hangover from it and be consistent.”
