Team News: Chiefs Name Changed Side for Harlequins Clash

Exeter Chiefs have named their side for Round Six of the Gallagher Premiership as they look for a result at Sandy Park against Harlequins before heading into Premiership Rugby Cup action.

Scott Sio takes the captain’s armband as he starts alongside Dan Frost at hooker and Ehren Painter at tighthead in this weekend’s front row.

Franco Molina, having thrilled the crowd on his debut at home, returns to Sandy Park with a new lock partner as Richard Capstick moves into the second row this week.

Capstick’s move accommodates Jacques Vermeulen returning to the line-up on the flank with Ross Vintcent moving to blindside to enable Greg Fisilau to start at number eight.

Will Becconsall returns for the first time this season to start at scrum half with Will Haydon-Wood his half-back partner at fly half.

The biggest news of the weekend however is the return from injury of Henry Slade. The England stalwart returns just in time for critical game time before the Autumn Nations Series as he partners Will Rigg in the centre.

Olly Woodburn moves back out to the wing with Paul Brown-Bampoe and Josh Hodge rounding out the back three.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter is well aware that one of the main talking points will be the return and impact of Henry Slade upon the game.

“No single player is a cure-all to everything and you don’t suddenly put one player in and win every game but I think without doubt when you see how we lost a couple of games this season – I’m particularly talking about our two home games – you do kind of think it wouldn’t have taken much more authority or calmness on the field for those to have been, not comfortable, but they could have easily turned our way.

“So, when you look at it that way, that obviously puts a big difference on the perspective of the season.

“Would we have gone to Newcastle and played better with some points on the board? Almost certainly, so you could say there’s a big ripple effect there and that’s probably where we are as a group really.”

Club captain Jack Yeandle, Will Goodrick-Clarke and Marcus Street look to bring power as the replacement front row. While Rusi Tuima and Ethan Roots are primed for any replacements needed in the second and back row.

It could be a first appearance this season for Stu Townsend off the bench as Harvey Skinner and Ben Hammersley look to bring fresh legs to the back line when called upon.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Olly Woodburn

13 Henry Slade

12 Will Rigg

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Will Becconsall

1 Scott Sio (c)

2 Dan Frost

3 Ehren Painter

4 Franco Molina

5 Richard Capstick

6 Ross Vintcent

7 Jacques Vermeulen

8 Greg Fisilau

Replacements:

16 Jack Yeandle

17 Will Goodrick-Clarke

18 Marcus Street

19 Rusi Tuima

20 Ethan Roots

21 Stu Townsend

22 Harvey Skinner

23 Ben Hammersley