Braves side to face Gloucester

by Mark Stevens
11/4/17

Defending champions Exeter Braves can book themselves a home semi-final in this season's Aviva A League if they triumph in tonight's fixture away to Gloucester at Kingsholm (7pm).

With just one group fixture remaining, the Braves are sitting top of the pile in the Southern Group on 15 points, one ahead of the Cherry & Whites, two ahead of Saracens Storm, and three ahead of fourth-placed Bristol United.

So close are the standings that any two from four can ultimately progress to the last four, so it's little wonder that the message from Braves coach Ricky Pellow is simple and concise.

"If we win on Monday, we will have a home semi-final and that's the aim," said the Cornishman. "It's a big, big fixture for this group of players and we know that Gloucester, especially at home, will be a really big challenge for us.

"We have shown, however, that we're capable of producing big performances, both home and away, and we will need another one on the night. There are a lot of boys within our group chomping at the bit to get back into that Premiership mix and this is a good opportunity for them to lay down a marker and remind the coaches of what they can do."

The Braves, who will be led by skipper Julian Salvi, have now a powerful looking line-up for the clash that also includes the likes of Lachie Turner, Matt Jess, Moray Low, Damian Welch, Tom Johnson and the Simmonds brothers, Sam and Joe. There is also a first outing for experienced former Bristol scrum-half Martin Roberts.

Any Exeter supporters making the trip up the M5 for this evening's game should note that there is no parking at the stadium and admission for the game is £5 for adults and under-16s go for free.
BRAVES SIDE TO FACE GLOUCESTER

15 Lachie Turner
14 Harry Strong
13 Max Bodilly
12 Tom Hendrickson
11 Matt Jess
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Martin Roberts
1 Billy Keast
2 Shaun Malton
3 Moray Low
4 Ed Holmes
5 Damian Welch
6 Tom Johnson
7 Julian Salvi (capt)
8 Sam Simmonds

16 Elvis Taione
17 Will Norton
18 Jack Owlett
19 Josh Caulfield
20 Tom Lawday
21 Joe Snow
22 Harvey Skinner
23 Nick Mason