Team News: Chiefs ring the changes for London Scottish clash

The Chiefs will look to continue their excellent start to this season’s Premiership Cup as they welcome London Scottish to Exeter, in the latest round of competition.

After another positive performance last weekend against Jersey Reds, in what was incredibly sadly the final match before the island club went into administration, Exeter will be keen to keep moving forward against more Championship opposition this Saturday.

Head Coach Ali Hepher knows what it takes to be successful in this competition and is under no illusions about the challenge that lies in wait.

“They’re a tough side, I know they haven’t necessarily got over the line, but they pushed a very good Bath team early in the game. They’re well organised, they’re well coached but we’ve just got to focus on our stuff and what we get right, there is a focus on a few areas that we’ve got to tidy up following the match against Jersey.

We have had a bit of plan approaching each week of the Premiership Cup competition but first and foremost we want to win our group and obviously the ultimate aim is to go on and win the competition. Of course, part of you is keeping one eye on the league season to making sure our preparation is right for the Premiership, so we can hit the ground running, but right here and now our focus is this weekend.”

In his interview this week Hepher was quick to praise the performances of many of the players who have taken to the field throughout the Premiership Cup campaign so far, with notable highlights for the work of Harvey Skinner, Josh Hodge and Tommy Wyatt who have all shined in some eye-catching high scoring displays.

However, it wasn’t just the backline who received the admiration of the Chiefs Head Coach.

“The competition across the back-row is phenomenally difficult, we’ve got Greg Fisilau up and running, Ethan Roots has come in and gone well and of course we know what Jacques (Vermeulen) can do. Ross Vintcent looks pacey, he’s almost up there with Sam Simmonds pace wise so we’re looking at a lot of quality guys in that area.

“Obviously one of the pleasing things coming out of this block has been the scrum and the work that Ross McMillan has done with the guys in that area throughout the pre-season. When we analysed last year it was a tricky area for us, but if we can get a change in picture there going into this season, we won’t be far off challenging for those top four places.”

The value placed on this competition by the Chiefs is clear to see, and after raising the trophy last season, Hepher and the rest of the Exeter coaches will be pleased with the intensity shown across the squads who have taken to the field so far.

“What you get with this competition and the old A-League is people pushing for places, and you also tend to get first team players stood on the side-lines watching, knowing that their place isn’t secure because there is someone else chomping at the bitt. Selection and competition for selection is huge, plus it also breeds the idea of winning competitions and lifting trophies for some of these younger guys.”

Taking on London Scottish is perhaps the youngest and most experimental teamsheet of the competition for the Chiefs, with a number of young faces ready to make a statement back at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Youngster Zack Wimbush comes into the outside centre position for his first opportunity of the season, with Dan John and Arthur Relton slotting in at full-back and wing respectively having already represented Cornish Pirates in the cup this season.

In the pack, up-and-coming star Joe Bailey, fresh from a tour with England U20s in the summer, is named at number seven in a mobile back-row alongside Ross Vintcent and Aidon Davis.

Meanwhile Chiefs fans will be pleased to see Marcus Street back on the bench for the first time this season, with the powerful tight-head looking to put injury troubles behind him and get back to the sort of form that saw him burst into the Chiefs setup a couple of seasons ago.

There are no easy games in this competition, and Exeter will have to be at their best to make sure they maintain their 100% start this season against a London Scottish side who will throw everything at their Premiership opponents.

Exeter Chiefs Team:

15. Dan John
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
13. Zack Wimbush
12. Ollie Devoto ©
11. Arthur Relton
10. Will Haydon-Wood
9. Niall Armstrong

1. Danny Southworth
2. Max Norey
3. Patrick Schickerling
4. Jack Dunne
5. Matt Postlethwaite
6. Aidon Davis
7. Joe Bailey
8. Ross Vintcent

Replacements:

16. Oli Burrows
17. James Kenny
18. Marcus Street
19. Alfie Bell
20. Rusi Tuima
21. Joe Snow
22. Harvey Skinner
23. Tom Hendrickson