Team News: Chiefs Return to Investec Champions Cup Action

Exeter Chiefs have named their side for Round Three of the Investec Champions Cup as they again play host to a French Top 14 side as Bordeaux Begles come to Sandy Park on Saturday.

This weekend’s French opposition not only sit atop the Top14 table, but they sit second in Pool One of this competition. Bordeaux are second to Toulouse only on points difference as both have two wins from the opening two pool rounds.

Returning to the Investec Champions Cup from the Gallagher Premiership, Rob Baxter makes just two changes to his starting line-up from last weekend’s domestic fixture.

One of those changes comes in the front row as Josh Iosefa-Scott moves into the starting line-up to take the starting tighthead prop shirt. Scott Sio starts at loosehead with Dan Frost at hooker.

The international quality second row of captain Dafydd Jenkins and Franco Molina returns for another week. The back row is as combative as ever with Ethan Roots at blindside, Jacques Vermeulen at openside and Greg Fisilau as the eight man.

Stu Townsend and Henry Slade direct the phases of play as the half-back pairing while Tamati Tua and Zack Wimbush are the centre pairing.

With Olly Woodburn out with a long-term injury, Paul Brown-Bampoe is recalled into the side to start on the wing with Ben Hammersley. This inspires a move for Tommy Wyatt back to the fullback berth.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter is aware of the scale of the game this weekend however, he feels it is the type of game which will be positive for the development of his squad in the long run.

“This weekend is a huge challenge. They’re a very good side, doing incredibly well within their league and within this competition. So, we know it’ll be a challenge for us, but you get in the Champions Cup for a reason. We’ve always really enjoyed being in this competition, being in the big games like this – they’re an important part of your development as a player, as a team and as a club.

“When you’re in European competition, getting points from every encounter is pretty vital. Unfortunately, we failed to do that in our first two games so there’s a bit of pressure on us now to try to achieve something.

“We’ll be going flat out this weekend and we’ll probably be able to assess where we stand after this game as regards to what we can do within the group.

“All I can say is that we’re going to go after it. We’re going to try to play, score some points, and see if we can challenge Bordeaux to get them into the type of game we want to play rather than the type of game they’ll want to play.”

On the bench, Max Norey is in line to make his first appearance of the season as he is named as replacement hooker. Will Goodrick-Clarke and Jimmy Roots are the prop replacements. Christ Tshiunza returns to the matchday side to provide cover to the second and back row with Rusi Tuima.

Tom Cairns and Will Haydon-Wood form the back-up half-back duo with Will Rigg the remaining replacement for the backline.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Tommy Wyatt

14 Ben Hammersley

13 Zack Wimbush

12 Tamati Tua

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Henry Slade

9 Stu Townsend

1 Scott Sio

2 Dan Frost

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)

5 Franco Molina

6 Ethan Roots

7 Jacques Vermeulen

8 Greg Fisilau

Replacements:

16 Max Norey

17 Will Goodrick-Clarke

18 Jimmy Roots

19 Rusi Tuima

20 Christ Tshiunza

21 Tom Cairns

22 Will Haydon-Wood

23 Will Rigg