Team News: Chiefs Name Team for Final Pre-Season Friendly
Exeter Chiefs have named their side for the third and final, pre-season friendly against Ulster Rugby on Saturday afternoon at Sandy Park.
Rob Baxter has named his match-day 23 to take on the Northern-Irish URC side before the new Gallagher Premiership season gets underway next weekend, on September 21 with Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park.
In the front row, Marcus Street is the experienced Chief alongside the dynamic Dan Frost at hooker and summer signing Will Goodrick-Clarke at loosehead.
The second row remains unchanged from last weekend’s outing against Ospreys as Rusi Tuima and Richard Capstick start. In the back row, Ross Vintcent returns to Chiefs colours following a positive summer campaign with Italy. He is joined by Ethan Roots and Jacques Vermeulen, who again wears the captain’s armband for the day.
Niall Armstrong comes into the starting XV at scrum half with Harvey Skinner remaining in place at fly half. The centre partnership then features Ben Hammersley and Joe Hawkins.
In the back three, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso makes his much-anticipated return to Sandy Park following a summer of international duty. At his side, Olly Woodburn and Josh Hodge keep their starting berths.
Jack Yeandle, Kwenzo Blose and Josh Iosefa-Scott form the replacement front row on the bench. Christ Tshiunza could make his first Sandy Park appearance of pre- season while Martin Moloney rounds out the pack replacements.
It’s a youthful set of backs who wait for a run-out from the bench as Tom Cairns, Will Haydon-Wood and Will Rigg are all named.
Exeter Chiefs:
15 Josh Hodge
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
13 Ben Hammersley
12 Joe Hawkins
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Niall Armstrong
1 Will Goodrick-Clarke
2 Dan Frost
3 Marcus Street
4 Rusi Tuima
5 Richard Capstick
6 Ethan Roots
7 Jacques Vermeulen (c)
8 Ross Vintcent
Replacements:
16 Jack Yeandle
17 Kwenzo Blose
18 Josh Iosefa-Scott
19 Christ Tshiunza
20 Martin Moloney
21 Tom Cairns
22 Will Haydon-Wood
23 Will Rigg