Braves side to face Wasps

By Mark Stevens
11/4/2016

Exeter Braves will be looking to rubber-stamp their place in the last four of this season’s Aviva Premiership A League when they play host to Wasps at Sandy Park tonight (7:30pm).

Having won convincingly at London Irish last time out, the Braves know only a collapse of epic proportions will deny them of advancing into the semi-finals.

With Harlequins having completed their Southern Group fixtures, finishing on 20 points – the same as the Braves currently – it will take a significant swing on the points difference to deny Exeter from progressing.

Defending champions Saracens Storm, who top the group on 22 points, conclude their pool fixtures by tackling Bristol this evening.

Should Saracens and Exeter both win this evening, it will mean the former will face Newcastle Falcons at home in the semi-finals, while the Braves will have to travel to Northampton Saints on April 25.

Looking ahead to tonight’s match against Wasps, Pellow said: “It’s important the guys now back up what was a very positive performance against London Irish in our last game.

“We’ve got this one last game in the pool stages here at Sandy Park, so we want the guys to really go after things and produce another big performance.

“To get to a semi-final would be another great achievement for the efforts they have put in so far this season in the A League, but at the same time we’ve challenged the group to kick on and see what they can achieve. We want them to chase highlights and we want them to chase tries and that will continue against Wasps.”

Experienced No.8 Kai Horstmann leads the Braves into action, skippering a side which includes internationals such as Elvis Taione, Tom Johnson and Chrysander Botha, as well as household names such as Brett Sturgess, Ben White, Haydn Thomas and Matt Jess.

Season ticket holders, Gold Card and 1905 Members can all gain FREE entry to the game as part of their seasonal package, admission for adults will be £10 with Under-16s £5.

Parking will be available at Sandy Park on a first come, first served basis – but supporters are reminded parking charges will be in operation.

BRAVES SIDE TO FACE WASPS

15 Chrysander Botha
14 Max Bodilly
13 Pete Laverick
12 Tom Hendrickson
11 Matt Jess
10 Will Hooley
9 Haydn Thomas
1 Brett Sturgess
2 Elvis Taione
3 Jack Owlett
4 Lewis Stevenson
5 Sam Skinner
6 Tom Johnson
7 Ben White
8 Kai Horstmann (capt)

16 Shaun Malton
17 Jake Woolmore
18 Elliott Roofe
19 Ed Holmes
20 Sam Simmonds
21 Stu Townsend
22 Ted Landry
23 Harrison Cully