Outreach side to face Royal Navy

By Mike Smith 
4/3/20

A number of the region's highly-rated youngsters will get their chance to impress in Exeter colours this evening as they line-up in a friendly fixture against the Royal Navy (7:30pm).

Having already featured in fixtures against the Navy's Under-23s side, plus Ivybridge and Taunton, Ricky Pellow will once again run the rule over the talented group, who comprise from local rugby clubs across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset

With the Navy themselves keen to hone their game plan ahead of some very important fixtures against the British Police, RAF and, the big one against the Army at Twickenham on May 2, it promises to be a keenly-contest encounter

“Every time we’ve played a Navy side they’ve been very physical," he said. "Obviously, their background in terms of their conditioning and their mental toughness around how they face their day-to-day work, they transfer into the game. I've no doubt we will face a real physical battle.

“Looking at our squad, we’ve got a reasonably young side who are very athletic and quick, so we will be looking to move them around the pitch because their set-piece will be strong. They’ve had a long time to get ready for their services games coming up against the Army and the RAF, so from that perspective they will be organised and we will have to work hard to find the space."

Tonight's game will be used as an opportunity for Pellow and his coaches to see how some of the younger players from local sides who have impressed for their clubs, perform in front of a crowd here at Sandy Park.

“The reason behind the game and why we’ve pulled people in from the local clubs is that players like Tom Wyatt, who played in this game last year, came in from level eight rugby at North Petherton to now play and train at the highest level of Premiership Rugby. It gives a good opportunity for players to step up, whether that be in the Premiership Shield games or the pre-season block. It's also a chance for players that may have developed a little bit later, but have shown the qualities in the outreach games, to demonstrate what we’re looking for.

“We’ve got some real talent in the squad and as a group they’ve all done really well. The likes of Ollie Schuster-Wood whose comes in from Cullompton has really shown up well; George Banfield and Rhys Palmer in the centres have shown some real touches of quality and offering a real attacking threat, along with two young wings that are a little bit lighter but when they get on the ball will be really quick. 

"We’re also captained tonight by Robin Edbrooke, who has come in from Topsham, but has led what has been a mix of players from different clubs really well." 

Season Ticket holders, 1905 Club, Gold Card, Junior Chiefs and Teen Chiefs members can all gain FREE entry to tonight’s game as part of their seasonal package. For all others, admission is £10 for adults and £5 for Under-16s/Students.

Paid parking is also available at Sandy Park on a first come, first served basis.

EXETER OUTREACH SIDE TO FACE ROYAL NAVY

15 Dan Lilley (Ivybridge)
14 Will Loughton (Topsham)
13 George Banfield (Kingsbridge)
12 Rhys Palmer (Okehampton)
11 Josh Davies (Barnstaple)
10 Haydn Lidstone (Barnstaple)
9 Jay Toogood (Ivybridge)
1 Ollie Schuster-Wood (Cullompton)
2 Harry Hocking (Truro College)
3 Will Norton (Exeter Chiefs)
4 Steele Barker (Penryn)
5 James McQuillan (Devonport Services)
6 Flynn Elworthy (Exeter Chiefs)
7 Robin Edbrooke (Topsham, capt)
8 Peli Vea (Sidmouth)

16 Will Bremmer (Cullompton)
17 Franck Frinconnet (Sidmouth)
18 Johnny King (Okehampton)
19 Ben Martin (Pirate Ams)
20 Adam Northcott (Ivybridge)
21 Christian Edbrooke (Topsham)
22 Oskar White (Bridgwater Albion)
23 Jack Saunders (Topsham)

24 Sam Coogan (Pirate Ams)