Team News: Baxter makes rotations in starting XV for Bears clash

Rob Baxter has made five changes to his starting line-up for Bristol Bears’ visit to Sandy Park this Sunday as his full front-row rotate places.

The Chiefs Director of Rugby has selected an experienced front row as Scott Sio starts at loosehead, Ehren Painter at tighthead and fan-favourite veteran Jack Yeandle captaining the side from hooker.

After impressing in the A-league friendly earlier in the week, Ross Vintcent is rewarded with a start at number eight while club stalwart Olly Woodburn returns to Premiership action for the first time this season having gained valuable minutes in the friendly.

Baxter and his coaching staff have prepared their squad for the hard-hitting, attritional encounter as Bristol Bears have bolstered their game since the two sides met in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

“Bristol have had a very good start to the Premiership season. They’ll be pleased in a lot of ways with where they are at the moment. They’ll be frustrated with that loss to Harlequins because they almost had the game wrapped up before it slipped away with one of the last kicks of the game.”

“They’ll be pleased with where they’ve gone. They’ve created a good intensity and have certainly stepped things up since the Premiership Rugby Cup, as we have.”

“They’ll be a big challenge for us. They’ve got try scoring threats across the field and they know some areas of our game that they’ve worked on that they defend very well. They’re scoring a lot of points – they’re never out of games, always a dangerous team.”

Chiefs have started the season on a strong footing, scoring 122 points in the opening three rounds – a tally they will look to add to on Sunday. This weekend will be an opportunity to secure second in the table as Bristol Bears loom in third place on points difference.

Also included in the starting XV is Tommy Wyatt remaining in the full-back berth he looked comfortable in last week following the unfortunate injury to Josh Hodge. Ethan Roots and Jacques Vermeulen accompany Vintcent ensuring there is plenty barnstorming power to come up against the equally explosive Bears back row.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Tommy Wyatt

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Henry Slade

12 Tom Hendrickson

11 Olly Woodburn

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Tom Cairns

1 Scott Sio

2 Jack Yeandle (c)

3 Ehren Painter

4 Rusi Tuima

5 Lewis Pearson

6 Ethan Roots

7 Jacques Vermeulen

8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements:

16 Dan Frost

17 Nika Abuladze

18 Josh Iosefa-Scott

19 Dafydd Jenkins

20 Aidon Davis

21 Niall Armstrong

22 Will Haydon-Wood

23 Joe Hawkins