Chiefs Named for Sunday Fixture at StoneX Stadium

October 04, 2024
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Ultimate Rugby

Exeter Chiefs have named their side for Round Three of the Gallagher Premiership which sees them face a Sunday game against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium.

Having secured an important bonus point against reigning champions, Northampton Saints, at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend, Rob Baxter’s men will be looking to continue improving their away form.

In the front row, Will Goodrick-Clarke makes his first Chiefs start at loosehead. Club captain, hooker Jack Yeandle takes back the game captain’s armband in the absence of Scott Sio in the line-up with Marcus Street packing down at tighthead.

Jack Dunne comes into the starting line-up to join Christ Tshiunza in the second row. Having been rested last weekend, Greg Fisilau returns to bring power at number eight with Ethan Roots and Richard Capstick on the flanks.

Sam Maunder remains in place at scrum half while Will Haydon-Wood is handed the 10 shirt having impressed off the bench against Saints in Round Two.

Ben Hammersley returns to the side after completing his HIA return to play protocol. He starts on the wing with Olly Woodburn attacking well from the centre in recent weeks. Joe Hawkins at inside centre, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wing and Josh Hodge at full-back then round out the starting XV.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter says the desire to put a strong performance out against Saracens has not dimmed in recent times following years of showdowns at finals.

“The rivalry between our two clubs may have changed a little in that players who were involved in finals are no longer here, but if you were asking me if there is still a rivalry then I’d say 100% there is.

“For us, it would be a fantastic result to go to Saracens and win. That’s not just because of past histories but because they’re clearly playing very well, they’re top of the Premiership.

“The reality is you need to go to Saracens and be very competitive. We’ve made it a decisive point amongst the group that we want to be more competitive away from home than we were last season.

“Our first challenge is to be competitive like that, and then that will give us the best opportunity to win a game or get points from a game. We know what we have to do, it’s going to be a big challenge.”

Jack Innard could make his first appearance of the regular season while Kwenzo Blose could make his Chiefs debut if both are called upon from the bench. Josh Iosefa-Scott is the tighthead who completes the replacement front row.

Having made his debut at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Martin Moloney is named alongside Rusi Tuima to complete the forwards split of the bench.

Tom Cairns and Harvey Skinner lay in wait to be introduced to the field as the replacement fly-half duo while Will Rigg will be looking to be back at his combative best that he showed against Saints.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Olly Woodburn

12 Joe Hawkins

11 Ben Hammersley

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Sam Maunder

1 Will Goodrick-Clarke

2 Jack Yeandle (c)

3 Marcus Street

4 Jack Dunne