U-18s side to face Saracens

By Mark Stevens
4/2/1

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s coach Marek Churcher says his side can ill afford to rest on their laurels ahead of their latest Academy Under-18s League fixture against Saracens this Sunday at Sandy Park (1pm).

Having collected wins over Bristol, London Irish, Gloucester and Bath so far this season, the Chiefs will be hoping to make the most of home advantage and preserve their winning formula against the visiting Londoners.

Looking ahead to the contest, Churcher said: “We go into the game in good form and with plenty of confident, but we’re also very aware that Saracens have some really dangerous individuals and that they like to play with real tempo.

“As the competition has gone on, so our own performances have improved week by week. The lads are playing some really good rugby, which has been helped with the guys training recently against the Chiefs first team ahead of their Anglo-Welsh Cup game. Just getting that experience for all of them is a big thing, especially with all the senior coaches watching on, and I don’t think any of our rivals have done that.

The Chiefs are buoyed by the return of Charlie Wright (pictured) to the back-row, where he will be joined by Will Gibson and the free-scoring Rusi Tuima at No.8. Sam Maunder and Gwyn Parks form the half-back pairing, while up front Marcus Street adds some real quality to the front-row.

Exeter supporters are welcome to attend the game, but they are reminder that parking charges will be in force at Sandy Park

CHIEFS U-18s SIDE TO FACE SARACENS

15 Finn Marks
14 Jake Penpras
13 Toby Wiliams
12 Joe Elderkin
11 AJ Cant
10 Gwyn Parks
9 Sam Maunder
1 Danny Southworth
2 Ben Phillips
3 Marcus Street
4 Joseph Parker Cooke
5 Lewis Pearson
6 Charlie Wright
7 Will Gibson
8 Rusi Tuima

16 Will Ridout
17 Alfie Petch
18 Danny Martin
19 Torin Clarke
20 Max Norey
21 Ollie Gibbon
22 Devon Jewsbury
23 Angus Hallum