Team news: Chiefs Women shuffle the backs for Bears’ visit

Sandy Park will see a new-look backline when Exeter Chiefs Women take to the field against Bristol Bears Women on Sunday (KO 15:00).

Taylor Perry will start at fly-half alongside fellow half-back Flo Robinson, while Liv McGoverne has moved to inside centre with Nancy McGillivray retaining her position in the No 13 jersey. Claudia MacDonald will make her first start for 11 months with Katie Buchanan on the other wing. Lastly, Alex Tessier has moved to full-back.

Head coach Susie Appleby said: “Taylor is a class player; she’s very quick and has a great skillset and vision, and the ability to spot space, so she deserves a shot to start to see if she really ignites our backs’ line.

“We have shifted Liv to 12 because she’s a big physical carrier but also has that skillset to put people into space and has the kicking game, so just a little adjustment there, which means Tess is going to have a run at full-back and again, hopefully she will bring the pace and kicking game she has.”

MacDonald’s return to fitness after a serious neck injury was the favourite moment of Chiefs’ last time out at Sandy Park. The England Red Rose has been through 10 months of intensive rehabilitation to return her to full fitness.

Appleby added: “Claud has been off a long time, but she has been training and training and training, I think the Gloucester-Hartpury game showed that she has just absorbed things. Claud wants to get on the ball, and we want to get her on the ball. She has the big power game, massive speed and that energy and desire to impact a game, which is exciting.”

The pack sees Emily Tuttosi return to start at hooker and Dorothy Wall move back into the second row from No 8 where Rachel Johnson will begin this round 13 PWR game.

On the bench, Maisy Allen and Georgina Tasker both make a welcome return from injury.

Chiefs head into Sunday’s game facing seven games on the bounce, with the re-arranged Bristol fixture due to be played on the weekend of February 7/8. They currently sit in third place in the PWR behind leaders Harlequins and second-placed Gloucester-Hartpury but have two games in hand. Bristol, meanwhile, will want to atone for their two recent losses to Saracens and Gloucester-Hartpury.