Team News: Chiefs Change Matchday 23 for Trip to Reigning Champions

Exeter Chiefs head to cinch stadium Franklin’s Gardens this Saturday to take on the reigning Gallagher Premiership champions, Northampton Saints, in Round Two.

After a frustratingly narrow loss in Round One at home, Chiefs have made a handful of changes to the side which came up against Leicester Tigers last weekend.

The front row remains unchanged as Scott Sio once more captains the side with Dan Frost at hooker while Ehren Painter prepares to come up against his former side.

Richard Capstick moves to the back row for this weekend to open up room for Christ Tshiunza to come into the starting pack – the Welshman will pack down with Rusi Tuima in the second row. Ethan Roots and Ross Vintcent then round out the back row at flanker and number eight.

Sam Maunder makes his much-anticipated return to the Gallagher Premiership as he starts at scrum half with Harvey Skinner comfortable in the fly half berth.

While Ben Hammersley recovers in the return to play protocol from his HIA against Tigers, Olly Woodburn brings his experience into the centre partnership with Joe Hawkins.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Josh Hodge are then joined by Paul Brown-Bampoe in the back three – the latter having featured for 75 minutes in his league debut last weekend.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter spoke ahead of the game about how, despite the result against Leicester, his side have assessed the areas of improvement and are ready to challenge themselves on the road.

“We’re ready to go this weekend. We think we’ve got a formula to be competitive away from home. We weren’t great away at Northampton last season, so we’ve talked about that and talked about changing the process that meant the game got away from us that last time.

“Our focus, for obvious reasons is winning, but you have to give yourself the initial chance to win before you are able to do it. It’s the processes and foundations that, if you get them right, give you a chance.

“Despite the result at Bath, I think Northampton probably feel there’s an energy, a pace and a vibrancy that they can bring to a game at home – like they did last year – which will deal with most of the issues they had against Bath. We’ve got to make sure that’s not the case.

“I think they will want to get the show on the road at home. While it will be a big challenge for us, it is one I’d kind of prefer coming this week. I think to go up there and give ourselves a chance to stick in for 80 minutes will be a good test of us away from home and it’s something that I am personally looking forward to.”

Marcus Street returns to the line-up, named on the bench alongside fellow front-rowers Jack Yeandle and Will Goodrick-Clarke. Jack Dunne is then joined by Martin Moloney to provide cover for the rest of the pack with the former Leinsterman in line for a Premiership debut.

Tom Cairns, Will Haydon-Wood and Will Rigg are named as the backs replacements.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Olly Woodburn

12 Joe Hawkins

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Sam Maunder

1 Scott Sio (c)

2 Dan Frost

3 Ehren Painter

4 Rusi Tuima

5 Christ Tshiunza

6 Ethan Roots

7 Richard Capstick

8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements:

16 Jack Yeandle

17 Will Goodrick-Clarke

18 Marcus Street

19 Jack Dunne

20 Martin Moloney

21 Tom Cairns

22 Will Haydon-Wood

23 Will Rigg