Chiefs U18s side to face London Irish

By Mark Stevens
23/1/20

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s head coach Marek Churcher has called for ‘more of the same’ from his young side ahead of Saturday’s Premiership Rugby Under-18s League clash with London Irish at Truro College (12:30pm).

Having suffered narrow defeats to Bath, Saracens and Harlequins in their opening three games of the season, the Chiefs produced their best display of the season to defeat Gloucester 29-5 on their own patch and record their first success of the season.

Tries from Frankie Nowell, Archie Hill, Oli Jeffrey, Charlie Levick and Christ Tshiunza paved the way for the victory, which was completed with two conversions from fly-half Iwan Jenkins.

Now, Churcher is looking for the Chiefs to build on that success against the Southern Conference leaders, who have won four of their five league games to date.

“This week is going to be a real test for us,” warned Churcher. “Irish are top of the table and going well, but we’re in confident mood ourselves after winning up at Gloucester last weekend. That performance was one of the best I’ve seen from a Chiefs Academy side in a long time.

“As I said, the guys know Saturday will be a really tough and physical encounter. Irish are a very potent and clinical attacking side – and they are equally as good in defence.

“What we’ve challenged the players with this week in the build-up to the game is ‘Can our performance be better?’ Talking with them and seeing how we’ve trained, I think they can be better, so I’m excited to see our lads go out there on Saturday and see what they can do.”

Refreshments and car parking will be available within the College campus for supporters wishing to attend the game.

EXETER CHIEFS UNDER-18s SIDE TO FACE LONDON IRISH

15 Charlie Levick
14 Billy Orchard
13 Kian Gentry
12 Archie Hill
11 Frankie Nowell
10 Iwan Jenkins
9 Tom Cairns (capt)
1 Ethan Pearce-Cowley
2 Oli Jeffrey
3 Bailey Williams
4 Christ Tshiunza
5 Sam Leworthy
6 Milo Hallam
7 Joe Elsworth
8 Ben Grubb

16 Matt Pritchard
17 Dylan Arthur
18 Cam Leigh
19 Tommy Woodward
20 Ellis Baldry
21 Will Becconsall
22 Charlie McCaig
23 Nathan Richmond