Braves side to face Harlequins

By Mark Stevens
25/11/19

Ricky Pellow says there is ‘real excitement’ amongst the group as Exeter Braves prepare to kick-off their 2019/20 Premiership Rugby Shield campaign at home to Harlequins this evening (7:30pm).

In what should be a mouth-watering opening fixture for both sides, skills coach Pellow is in buoyant mood as last season’s semi-finalists look to get their season off to a strong start against the Londoners.

“As a group, I think we’re all really excited to finally get the competition up and running,” said the Cornishman. “For quite a few of the boys, it’s been a few weeks since they last played, so I know they can’t wait to get out there.

“It’s a good first test for us. Over the years, Harlequins have given us some really close battles and I don’t think it will be any different tonight. The guys, though, have trained well and they all look hungry to get out on the pitch and put in a big performance.”

With many of tonight’s group having featured in the Premiership Rugby Cup, where the Chiefs will ironically face Harlequins in the last four in early February, the chance to get out and prove their worth to the watching Exeter coaching staff is something they all appear to be relishing.

“We saw in the Premiership Rugby Cup some really notable performances from a number of the guys,” added Pellow. “Tonight, they have another chance to go out as a group and really lay down a marker, not just personally, but collectively.

“This is the start of a run of four or five fixtures in this competition where they can really come together and produce something special. As we always say, we want to attack every competition that we enter and this is no different. If you look over the years, we’ve been competitive pretty much every season, getting to those latter stages and doing very well.

“Looking at what we’ve put together, it’s another good mix of players who we are hoping can go out and help lay the foundations for what we hope will be another successful A League campaign.”

Stu Townsend will skipper the Braves this evening as he looks to continue his comeback from a long-term knee injury. He recently had a brief run-out with the club’s Academy side against the Royal Navy in Plymouth – and will be hoping to get more game minutes under his belt this evening.

Elsewhere, summer signing Tom Price is set to pull on an Exeter jersey for the first time in the second-row alongside former Harlequins player Stan South, whilst in the back division there is plenty of experience in the back three with Phil Dollman, Max Bodilly and James Short all poised to start.

Season Ticket holders, 1905 Club, Gold Card, Teen Chiefs and Junior Chiefs members can all gain FREE entry to the game as part of their seasonal packages, for all others admission is £10 for adults and £5 for students and Under-16s.

Parking is available at Sandy Park on a first come, first served basis. Please note parking charges will be in operation.

EXETER BRAVES SIDE TO FACE HARLEQUINS

15 Phil Dollman
14 Max Bodilly
13 Tom Wyatt
12 Tom Hendrickson
11 James Short
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Stuart Townsend (capt)
1 Billy Keast
2 Jordon Poole
3 Patrick Schickerling
4 Stan South
5 Tom Price
6 Josh Caulfield
7 Richard Capstick
8 Sean Lonsdale

16 Tom Channon
17 Danny Southworth
18 Will Norton
19 Lewis Pearson
20 James McRae
21 Sam Maunder
22 Sam Morley
23 Shea Cornish