Braves side to face Bath

By Flo Eggins
20/10/17

Ricky Pellow is targeting four wins out of four in this term’s Aviva A League competition to place the squad in a competitive position to qualify for the play-offs in the New Year.

The Braves play Bath United at Sandy Park tomorrow (3pm), and Pellow has assembled a strong line-up for the fixture including summer signings Matt Kvesic, Toby Salmon and Tom O’Flaherty, plus the experience of Scottish International Moray Low, Wallaby Greg Holmes and Chiefs stalwart Kai Horstmann, who will captain the side.

Pellow has also opted to bring in players from outside the squad, utilising the club’s relationship with Exeter University to bolster the ranks.

Looking ahead to the fixture, Pellow said: “The Bath game on Saturday is a good opportunity for senior guys to put their hands up for selection, but as the A League has done over the past few years, it gives those younger guys a good opportunity to come in.

“With the Anglo-Welsh cup beginning in the next few weeks, you’ve got a group of players fighting for spots in those games and they know from past experience, that whether you’re a young or senior player, if you can back up A League and Anglo-Welsh performances that can really push you on.

“Sam Simmonds is one of those players who last year shone in the Anglo-Welsh and pushed himself into a first team spot at the end of last season and now you can see the difference. The guys can see the results if they push themselves.”

In addition to player development, Pellow discussed how the Devon club are using the A League as a platform for developing new coaches. 

Pellow added: “We are always looking at coach education and development. This (A League) is a great opportunity for younger coaches to put their stamp on the game.

“Haydn Thomas is going to come in and head up the defence and Marek Churcher, who’s been running our Under-18 side is going to run the attack, with Ruairi Cushion assisting with the backs. Sam Morton, who’s been in the A League environment for two or three years now, has the chance to head it all up. This Saturday is really exciting for those guys to give the game their own identity.”

Following the fixture against Bath, the Braves travel to Saracens in November. Pellow said: “The players are aware that if we get a home win that will put us in a good position to nail ourselves down a play-off spot. We’ve got a tough next game away at Saracens, but those are the types of games you want to be playing in.”

As it’s a match-day Saturday, the normal Dartline 77 and 78 and Stagecoach C bus services will be operation, running two hours before kick-off and three hours after the final whistle, whilst supporters will also be able to pay and park at Sandy Park on a first come, first served basis.

Supporters attending the game will be able to sit in the West Grandstand or East Terrace to watch the fixture, while the following bars – Exeter Suite, County Suite, Tomahawk and Mohawk will be open, as will the food outlets at the South West corner of the ground.

Following the final whistle, Disco Danny will be playing in the Exeter Suite, whilst live Champions Cup rugby will be shown on screens, both before and after the game.

Season ticket holders, Gold Card and 1905 members can gain FREE entry to the game, otherwise tickets will be £10 for adults and £5 for students/U16s. Advance tickets can be purchased here.

EXETER BRAVES SIDE TO FACE BATH UNITED:

15. JJ Taulagi
14. Charlie Davis
13. Sal M’Boge
12. Pete Laverick
11. Tom O’Flaherty
10. Sam Morley
9. Joe Snow
1. Moray Low
2. Dan Frost
3. Greg Holmes
4. Toby Salmon
5. Wilhelm Van der Sluys
6. James Freeman
7. Matt Kvesic
8. Kai Horstmann ©

16. Ben Phillips
17. James Kenny
18. Marcus Street
19. Josh Caulfield
20. Tom Lawday
21. Aaron Bagwell
22. Gwyn Parks
23. Carl Morgan