Baxter wants Exeter response after Gloucester loss

"We have to improve the depth. We're not going to improve it without it playing against some tough lessons.

"The good thing we can do, with some of the guys who stepped in today and potentially aren't going to be involved next week, is they can have a bit of a tough review this week based on what they have to do and how they have to turn up and perform."

Australia centre Len Ikitau made his return to the Exeter side after four months out with a shoulder injury [Getty Images]

Having not reached the play-offs since 2021, Exeter's hopes of a return are still in their hands.

They are a point above fifth-placed Bristol in the final play-off place and three behind third-placed Leicester, who were beaten at Saracens on Saturday.

Exeter face a tough end to the season with fixtures against second-placed Bath, Harlequins, Leicester and sixth-placed Saracens in their final four Prem games.

"Our next Prem game is Bath at home, we've got to go to Harlequins in the Big Game, we actually need to roll our sleeves up and get on with things a bit better than we did today," Baxter added.

"But on the whole we have this season, so I'm not looking at us on the slide now, I'm thinking we've still got plenty left in the tank.

"We've rested quite a large number of players today who should be absolutely flying next week.

"We're under a bit of pressure, but it's a privileged pressure because every game means something.

"For some clubs they're not in that scenario. We need to make sure it brings the best out of us, not the worst out of us.

"Unfortunately there were times today where I think it brought the worst out of us, that's the bit we've got to try and work with the players to improve."