Team News: Chiefs Named for Penultimate Prem Cup Pool Match

After another five-point win last weekend, Chiefs sit atop Pool E in the Premiership Rugby Cup with a strong performance this weekend almost certainly securing Rob Baxter’s men a progression game.

Chiefs scored six tries in their bonus point win over Hartpury on the road last weekend while Cornish Pirates ran Gloucester close at the Mennaye, securing a losing bonus point for their efforts.

This week for Chiefs, Kwenzo Blose and Jimmy Roots are promoted to the starting line-up as club captain Jack Yeandle returns to lead the side from hooker.

Rusi Tuima and Franco Molina pack down in the boiler room with a combative back row of Ethan Roots, Richard Capstick and Jacques Vermeulen adding power to the back five of the scrum.

Tom Cairns and Will Haydon-Wood slot into the side at scrum half and fly half. Having scored against Hartpury last weekend, Tamati Tua returns to the starting line-up alongside Joe Hawkins in the centre.

The back three is formed by Paul Brown-Bampoe and Ben Hammersley on the wings with Tommy Wyatt the last line of defence at full back.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter knows his side can’t underestimate the fight the Cornishmen will put up.

“Cornish Pirates are a good, competitive Championship side. We had a really good fixture down there at the Mennaye earlier this season and we had a tough fixture last weekend against Hartpury away from home as well.

“We expect quite a lot from Championship sides because we know they’re good sides. We’ve got players in that league on loan, so we know how much they benefit from the coaching and the rugby they play every week.

“From our perspective, we’re expecting it to be a good game with a decent crowd of supporters both of Chiefs and of Pirates so that they can enjoy a really good day’s rugby.”

Dan Frost and Marcus Street form the replacement front row with Billy Keast who could make his first Chiefs appearance of the season having spent time on loan at Cornish Pirates. Martin Moloney and Lewis Pearson retain their bench spots from last weekend’s clash.

For the backs, Stu Townsend – newly a Chiefs centurion in the match against Saracens – is joined by Dan John who makes his return from injury while there could be a competitive Chiefs debut for 22-year-old Charlie McCaig.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Tommy Wyatt

14 Ben Hammersley

13 Joe Hawkins

12 Tamati Tua

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Tom Cairns

1 Kwenzo Blose

2 Jack Yeandle (c)

3 Jimmy Roots

4 Rusi Tuima

5 Franco Molina

6 Ethan Roots

7 Richard Capstick

8 Jacques Vermeulen

Replacements:

16 Dan Frost

17 Billy Keast

18 Marcus Street

19 Lewis Pearson

20 Martin Moloney

21 Stu Townsend

22 Dan John

23 Charlie McCaig