Team news: Sio to make first start of the season against Gloucester

Prop Scott Sio returns from injury to make his first appearance of the season against Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park in round five of the PREM on Saturday.

The experienced campaigner has been sidelined so far this season with a knee issue, but he makes his return a week on from Chiefs’ confident 38-0 result against Harlequins in Devon.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Our attitude last weekend was spot on, and it is what allowed us to often be in the favour of the bounce of the ball. Our attitude throughout the game to not concede points was incredibly pleasing.”

With Will Goodrick-Clarke being monitored daily with an AC-joint tear, Sio slots straight into the starting front row alongside Joseph Dweba and Josh Iosefa-Scott.

The back-five of the scrum remains intact after a powerful display last time out. Dafydd Jenkins wears the captain’s armband in a second-row partnership with Rusi Tuima while Tom Hooper earns his second cap in the back-row with Ethan Roots and Greg Fisilau.

Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner were on try-assisting form against Quins, so start once more in the nine and 10 shirts. Brace-scorer Henry Slade pairs up for a second outing with Len Ikitau while Olly Woodburn starts on the wing a week on from his injury return. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Josh Hodge round out the backline.

Baxter said: “Gloucester will probably be the most frustrated team in the league at the moment having been involved in some real seesaw games. They’re probably looking to try to finish this block with a win, so they’re going to be hugely motivated to come here and play very well.

“It’s up to us to get our emotions and attitude right for the game. That will be the first and foremost thing in our mind.”

Club captain Jack Yeandle leads the forwards on the bench as Chiefs return to the more traditional five-three split. Ethan Burger and Bachuki Tchumbadze are the replacement props with Andrea Zambonin and Kane James covering the back-five.

Will Haydon-Wood returns to the match-day side to join Charlie Chapman and Ben Hammersley in providing the substitute options for the backs.

The game kicks off at 15:00 in Exeter live on TNT Sports with tickets still available here.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Henry Slade

12 Len Ikitau

11 Olly Woodburn

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Stephen Varney

1 Scott Sio

2 Joseph Dweba

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)

5 Rusi Tuima

6 Tom Hooper

7 Ethan Roots

8 Greg Fisilau

Replacements:

16 Jack Yeandle

17 Ethan Burger

18 Bachuki Tchumbadze

19 Andrea Zambonin

20 Kane James

21 Charlie Chapman

22 Will Haydon-Wood

23 Ben Hammersley