Chiefs U18s side to face Harlequins

By Mark Stevens
16/2/18

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they travel to Harlequins in their latest Premiership Under-18s League fixture at Surrey Sports Park (3pm).

Undone on the road at Saracens a week ago, the visitors know a victory is imperative against the Londoners if they are to secure their place at Finals Day.

Coach Marek Churcher said: “The team are building towards this weekend's challenge and I know everyone will savour the chance to play another game together as it is a tight knit group, even though it has only been a condensed season as a playing group.

“Last week Saracens got the better of us in the first half, so we need to make sure that we are able this week to control our build up to the game a little better as the last two away fixtures we haven't hit the ground running.

“Credit to Saracens for the physicality in their collisions in the first half, but what we did do well is react in the second half and built our way back into game. The players put themselves in a position where they were able to grab two points from the match, which showed a lot of resilience and fight.

“This weekend there is everything to play for, playing Harlequins who are a couple of points behind us and needing to win to secure a place in the finals day in a few weeks’ time.”

Team news for the visitors sees Ollie Andrews and Cory Teague come into the pack for Elliot Salt and the injured Flynn Elworthy, while behind Robbie Weeks moves from full-back to centre, Devon Jewsbury comes in on the wing and Dan Lilley takes on the anchor role at 15.

CHIEFS UNDER-18s SIDE TO FACE HARLEQUINS

15 Dan Lilley
14 Devon Jewsbury
13 Luke Flack
12 Robbie Weeks
11 Archie Hill
10 Ollie Toomey
9 Sam Maunder (capt)
1 Ollie Andrews
2 Will Ridout
3 Alfie Petch
4 Lewis Pearson
5 Cory Teague
6 Joseph Parker-Cooke
7 Richard Capstick
8 Rus Tuima

16 Scott Butterworth
17 Henry Trudgill
18 Elliot Salt
19 Jake Clemson
20 Bryn-Lee Jago
21 James Tait
22 Alex Gozzard
23 Kian Atkinson