Team News: Chiefs Name Side for Prem Cup Third Round

After two high scoring outings against Championship opposition, Rob Baxter has named his side to take on Gloucester in Round Three of the Premiership Cup.

The Chiefs front row running out at Kingsholm will be an experienced one with Scott Sio at loosehead, Marcus Street at tighthead and Dan Frost splitting the two in the hooker berth.

A week on from an England A appearance, Rusi Tuima packs down in the boiler room of the second row with Richard Capstick. Ethan Roots and match captain Jacques Vermeulen bring bulk to the flanks while Greg Fisilau returns to Chiefs kit having scored a try in England A’s win over Australia A.

Stu Townsend makes his first start of the season at scrum half with Will Haydon-Wood named to start at fly-half. Will Rigg and Tamati Tua form the centre partnership for a second game, albeit switching numbers this time with Rigg at inside centre.

The back three form a pacey threat as Tommy Wyatt and Ben Hammersley are named on the wings with Josh Hodge at full back.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter believes his squad are ready to hit the ground running again following a week off but that they are aware there is still work to be done to get their season on track.

“I think the opening rounds of the Premiership Cup [against Cornish Pirates and Hartpury] have been pretty progressive for us. I can’t predict Gloucester’s selection, but I’m assuming that this Friday will be closer to a Premiership game.

“It will be a bit more of a test of where we are and some of the things we’re working on. Then we’ve got a huge test the following week going away to Bath.

“I can tell you what it feels like, and it feels that we’ve got a group of guys working hard. We turned up from the week off in good shape – boys didn’t come back looking like they’d had a blowout; they came back looking like they were ready to go.

“A lot of the boxes we’re looking to tick, the players are ticking so that’s very positive. We’ve just got to stick at it now. The key for us is not focusing on ‘what work has gone on’, instead it’s making sure that we keep progressing, keep confidence and keep moving forwards for an extended period.”

Jack Innard brings experience to the replacement front row at hooker with Will Goodrick-Clarke and Jimmy Roots sitting in wait to be called upon alongside him. Lewis Pearson and Martin Moloney are then named to cover the remainder of the pack.

There could be a first appearance of the 2024/25 season for Zack Wimbush as the young back has recovered from a pre-season injury to be named on the bench with Will Becconsall and Harvey Skinner.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Ben Hammersley

13 Tamati Tua

12 Will Rigg

11 Tommy Wyatt

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Stu Townsend

1 Scott Sio

2 Dan Frost

3 Marcus Street

4 Rusi Tuima

5 Richard Capstick

6 Ethan Roots

7 Jacques Vermeulen (c)

8 Greg Fisilau

Replacements:

16 Jack Innard

17 Will Goodrick-Clarke

18 Jimmy Roots

19 Lewis Pearson

20 Martin Moloney

21 Will Becconsall

22 Harvey Skinner

23 Zack Wimbush