Chiefs ready themselves for Tigers test

By Mark Stevens
3/12/20

Exeter Chiefs will be looking to maintain their 100% start to the new Gallagher Premiership season when they travel to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for their Round Three encounter against Leicester Tigers on Saturday (3pm).

Rob Baxter’s side have kicked off their title defence perfectly, picking up a 33-3 win at Harlequins on the opening night, before following that up with a 40-3 home win against Bath last Saturday.

No.8 Sam Simmonds, last season’s European Player of the Year, has led their charge to the top of the table, scoring five tries already, but in defence the Devonians have been equally miserly, leaking just one successful penalty in each game.

Now, they are readying themselves to face English rugby’s most decorated club side, who themselves started the season with a 38-15 win over Gloucester, but then went down to London Irish 22-9 last time out.

In recent times, the Chiefs have held the upper hand in this fixture, losing just once of their last eight games against the Tigers. Last season they recorded an impressive double, winning 31-22 at Welford Road, before picking up a 26-13 victory in the first game back after rugby restarted in August.

Craig Maxwell-Keys takes charge of Saturday’s fixture in what will be his 83rd Premiership game. He will be assisted by Hamish Smales and Jack Makepeace with Keith Lewis taking on the role of TMO.

As is the case with all top-flight fixtures currently, the game will be screened live on BT Sport as one of three games they will be showing that day.

You can catch the action on BT Sport Extra 4 from 3pm.

Friday, December 4

Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints (Ashton Gate) – programme starts at 7pm, kick off at 7.45pm on BT Sport 1HD/Ultimate

Saturday, December 5

Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs (Welford Road) – programme starts at 3pm, kick off at 3pm on BT Sport Extra 4

Wasps v Newcastle Falcons (Ricoh Arena) - programme starts at 3pm, kick off at 3pm on BT Sport Extra 5

Worcester Warriors v Bath Rugby (Sixways) – programme starts at 3pm, kick off at 3pm on BT Sport Extra 6

Sunday, December 6

London Irish v Sale Sharks (Community Stadium) – programme starts at 2.30pm, kick off at 2.30pm on BT Sport Extra 2

Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins (Kingsholm) – programme starts at 4pm, kick off at 4.15pm on BT Sport 1HD/Ultimate

Rugby Tonight - 6.30pm on BT Sport 1HD

Monday, December 7

Channel 5 highlights – 7pm