Preview: Wasps vs Exeter Chiefs
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Preview: Wasps vs Exeter Chiefs
Wasps vs Exeter Chiefs (15:15) BT Sport
The Champions Cup quarter finals get underway with a mouth watering tie as Wasps host Exeter in Coventry.
This is the first time the pair have met in European competition and the first time the Chiefs have ever reached the quarter finals.
The record between the two is not great reading for Wasps fans, in the last 10 games Exeter Chiefs have won 8 out of the last 10.
Wasps welcome back Charles Piutau from injury and he comes into the side at 15, James Haskell is also back into Dai Young's side as they bid for a place in the semi finals.
They go into this one as the bookies favourites as they look to win their 1st European Cup since 2007.
“We’re all looking forward to Saturday’s Quarter Final and a fantastic European occasion for everyone associated with Wasps and Exeter Chiefs." Young told Wasps.co.uk
“This is where we as coaches, players and supporters want to be, competing against the best teams in Europe and challenging for honours.
“It has been a real squad effort to reach the last eight and we are proud to have come through such a tough pool to earn a home Quarter Final, but we obviously don’t want it to end here.
“Everything now comes down to 80 minutes of rugby this Saturday. This is knockout rugby at the highest level that any player can compete at with their club.
“Exeter have been excellent all season. They put almost 20 points on us when we met at the Ricoh Arena in the Premiership earlier this season, so they certainly had the measure of us that day. We’d like to think we’ve improved since then, but the proof will be in the pudding this Saturday and we know the challenge will be just as great.”
Chiefs full back Phil Dollman is out with a thigh injury, meaning Australian Lachie Turner comes into the side.
Last time Chiefs traveled to the Ricoh Arena no. 8 Thomas Waldrom scored a hat trick as Rob Baxter's side claimed a 41-27 win over Wasps.
Head coach Rob Baxter says his side are treating this game like any other.
"It's not a massive cup final that's all or nothing from us, it's a game that we've got to learn to take in our stride if we're going to be a successful side." Baxter told BBC Sport.
"We should be aiming to be involved in big games like this two or three times towards the end of the season, if you do claim to be a big side.
"It's the highest-ranking single game we've been involved with, but we can't just look at it as though it's a great occasion and just great to be involved in it, because ultimately you don't get very much out of games like that."
Key man. Charles Piutau. The influential full back has been sensational in Europe and his timely return is a massive boost for Wasps. Piutau has made 11 clean breaks and 561 metres going forward, both the most in the competition.
Prediction. Wasps by 5. Will be a massive battle but despite Chiefs recent form against Wasps, the home side have excelled in Europe at the Ricoh with big wins over Toulon and Leinster, giving them the edge for us.
