Exeter Chiefs Academy sides to take on Gloucester

Match preview: Exeter Chiefs Academy vs Gloucester Rugby
Saturday 25 October – Exeter College Centre for Rugby
U18s kick-off 13:00 | U17s kick-off 15:00

The Exeter Chiefs academy sides return to the Exeter College Centre for Rugbytomorrow to face Gloucester in their final academy fixtures of 2025. Both age groups share the same early-season story: narrow opening losses to Northampton Saints, followed by emphatic wins over Sale Sharks. With momentum restored, the groups will look to finish on a high in front of a home crowd.

U18s – 13:00 KO

In the PREM Next Gen league, the U18s will aim to back up their statement win over Sale. Captain Mawgan Talling steers a powerful pack, with a Devonport Services spine through the front row and back row, while a lively backline featuring Will Lane and Alistair Kennedy will look to put width and tempo on the game.

Starting XV

15 Will McIntosh (Kingsbridge RFC)
14 Archie Guyver (Ivybridge RFC)
13 Jack McIntosh (Kingsbridge RFC)
12 Charlie Bosanko (Ivybridge RFC)
11 Troy Jackson (Exeter Saracens RFC)
10 Will Lane (Devonport Services RFC)
9 Alistair Kennedy (Falmouth RFC)
1 Mawgan Talling (Malton and Norton) (C)
2 Diego Lerro (Devonport Services RFC)
3 Josh Bratt (Devonport Services RFC)
4 Harry Friggens (Penzance & Newlyn RFC)
5 Jeremy Keys (Withycombe RFC)
6 Oisin Smith (Devonport Services RFC)
7 Harry Westlake
8 Alfie Johns (Bude RFC)

Replacements: Theo McKay (Torquay RFC), Louis Tout (Devonport Services RFC), Hudson Edkins (Newton Abbot RFC), Harrison Riley (Amman United), Alex Evans (Ivybridge RFC), Ruben Chugg (Barnstaple RFC).

U17s – 15:00 KO

The U17s, led by fly-half George Blackburn, take the field later in the afternoon. After mirroring the U18s’ narrow loss to Saints and bounce-back victory at Sale, this group will target another clinical display. Expect front-foot ball from a robust pack and plenty of strike threats across the back three.

Starting XV

15 Ruben Chugg (Barnstaple RFC)
14 Bailey Stapleton (Exeter Athletic RFC)
13 Louis Pearn (Newquay Hornets RFC)
12 Harry Batten (Exmouth RFC)
11 Lucas Bisby (Bude RFC)
10 George Blackburn (Crediton RFC) (C)
9 Olly Bertie (Ivybridge RFC)
1 Sennen Harris (Bideford RFC)
2 Ewan Shadrick (Bude RFC)
3 Theo McKay (Torquay RFC)
4 Harry Cockle (Penzance & Newlyn RFC)
5 Billy Geis (Exmouth RFC)
6 Archie Parsons (Plymstock Oaks RFC)
7 Luke McCaffrey (Newquay Hornets RFC)
8 Harrison Riley (Amman United)

Replacements: Leo Adams (Newquay Hornets RFC), Alex Symons Hill (PenFal Panthers), Harry Lester-George (PenFal Panthers), Hamish Terry (Sidmouth RFC), Max Nikitakos (Crediton RFC), Fletcher Marr (Penzance & Newlyn RFC), Tom Tanswell (Penryn RFC).