Chiefs side to face Saints

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs coach Ricky Pellow says he wants to see a more clinical edge to his side when they entertain Northampton Saints in their last pool game of this season's LV= Cup (6.30pm).

In an entertaining fixture at Bath's Recreation Ground a week ago, Pellow admitted his team had failed to make the most of opportunities they had created, particularly in the first half, and it came back to bite them as Peter Stringer's second half brace of tries helped the home side to a 16-6 success.

That defeat, Exeter's first in the competition this term, saw the Devon club surrender pole position in Pool One to Harlequins, who now lead the way by four points.

With victory imperative if the Chiefs are to stand any chance of advancing into the last four, Pellow insists the message has been clear and concise to the Exeter players as they prepare to face the Saints for a third time this season.

“Any game in which you put on an Exeter shirt is one you want to play well in and put in a performance," said skills coach Pellow. "It is an opportunity for this group of players to put in a performance for themselves, individually and for the club. Of course there is pressure, but you get that in any sport you play. However, I think the guys will thrive on it.

"Last week's result at Bath was frustrating, especially considering the amount of chances we created, but we know we are not a million miles away from getting things spot on. As coaches and as a squad we know where we are moving and it only takes one or two things to click. You only have to look at Quins two or three years ago when they were pushing through with their offloading game.

"They have come through that period of hard work and are getting results. We're in a period now that we're not only excited about, but that we are working hard to develop. And I have no doubt if we keep the same work ethic we have been showing, the results will come."

Having lost twice already in the Premiership to the visiting Saints this season, the Chiefs are well aware of the dangers posed by the East Midlanders, who have been given a boost with the news that Ben Foden and Lee Dickson have both been freed from England's international camp, whilst South African No.8 GJ Van Velze is also fit for duty.

And whichever personnel Saints coach Jim Mallinder opts to start with, Pellow says the Chiefs will be duly prepared. He continued: "When you analyse sides, they tend to show the same structure despite having different personnel. We know how they are going to play and the patterns they use, just like they will with us. We have a clear picture of how they will come down here.”

"I think Northampton coming down here in any game is a challenge in itself, whatever team they come down with, but we know what we have got to do and we've talked about the key things that are going to give us that big performance. They are a strong side, but we know what we have to do. Our aim will be to focus on ourselves and get stuck into them.”

Ahead of kick-off the Chiefs have been forced to change their starting line-up as Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joel Conlon, Sam Hill and Jack Arnott are all involved with the England Under-20s in their opening Six Nations clash with Scotland at Plymouth's Brickfields ground.

Their absence means others are brought into the side with Jack Yeandle, Alex Brown (pictured), James Hanks and Aly Muldowney handed starts in the pack, whilst behind Ignacio Mieres, Ian Whitten and Mark Foster are also included from the outset.

There is also a welcome return to fitness on the bench for experienced scrum-half Haydn Thomas, who has not featured since picking up a head injury in the Premiership game with the Saints a month ago.

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

15 Jack Nowell
14 Watisoni Votu
13 Ian Whitten
12 Josh Tatupu
11 Mark Foster
10 Ignacio Mieres
9 Will Chudley
1 Carl Rimmer
2 Jack Yeandle
3 Alex Brown
4 Damian Welch
5 James Hanks
6 Aly Muldowney
7 Ben White
8 Kai Horstmann (capt)

16 Tow Cowan-Dickie
17 Chris Budgen
18 Lloyd Fairbrother
19 Will Carrick-Smith
20 Sam Simmonds
21 Haydn Thomas
22 Myles Dorrian
23 Nic Sestaret