Team News: Baxter Names Changed Chiefs Squad to Face Saracens

January 26, 2024
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Ultimate Rugby

Rob Baxter has made five changes to his starting line-up for Chiefs’ return to Gallagher Premiership action in Round 12 against Saracens on Saturday, January 27.

With England internationals remaining in camp with the national side ahead of this year’s Guinness Six Nations, the youth of the Chiefs squad are brought more into the fold with two players in line for possible Premiership debuts.

Alec Hepburn returns from Scotland camp to start with Jack Yeandle and Marcus Street in an experienced front row.

Newly appointed Welsh international captain, Dafydd Jenkins returns from his nation’s training camp to pair Rusi Tuima in the second row for a second consecutive week.

The space left by England-named Ethan Roots is filled by Lewis Pearson, shifting into the back row from a lock position to start on the flank with Jacques Vermeulen and Greg Fisilau at eight.

Stu Townsend swaps shirts with Tom Cairns as the latter moves to the bench to allow for the experienced scrum half to start in partnership with Harvey Skinner at fly half.

Josh Hodge will look to strike-up the try-scoring form he enjoyed against Saracens earlier in the season from full-back with Ben Hammersley and Olly Woodburn outside of him on the wings.

Zack Wimbush will then be able to rely on the guidance and knowledge of Ollie Devoto as the youngster partners the fan-favourite in a brand-new centre partnership with Henry Slade in England camp and Joe Hawkins currently suspended having received a red card last weekend.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter has had his focus on ensuring his squad have made the most of every chance to prepare for this weekend’s clash in a shortened training week following on from their Investec Champions Cup game against Bayonne in France last Sunday.

“This is our last big fixture in a block of Gallagher Premiership and Investec Champions Cup action. They’ve all been important games and they’ve all been pretty tough, so this weekend doesn’t feel like a shift.

“We’ve had a truncated training week with such a tight turnaround after travelling back from Bayonne on Monday morning. Normally that’s good for us as short training week can bring high energy, which is what you need to play against Saracens.

“If we don’t turn up with energy and enthusiasm then the game is done before you even start. We’ll focus on that and then just nail down any tactical bits as well.”

Fresh from a European debut, Danny Southworth is named as a front row replacement alongside Dan Frost and Josh Iosefa-Scott. Ross Vintcent returns from his time in Italy with his international side to be named with Jack Dunne as further pack cover.

With Cairns occupying the replacement scrum half spot, the bench is rounded out by Charlie McCaig and Arthur Relton – both of whom would make their Premiership debut should they be called onto the field at StoneX Stadium.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Ben Hammersley

13 Zack Wimbush

12 Ollie Devoto

11 Olly Woodburn

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Stu Townsend

1 Alec Hepburn

2 Jack Yeandle

3 Marcus Street

4 Rusi Tuima