Exeter Chiefs have officially announced their lineup for the highly anticipated derby rematch against Bristol Bears. The match will be held at Sandy Park this Saturday afternoon, with kickoff scheduled for 15:00 local time. This clash comes during a week when several Chiefs players have been selected for national teams in the upcoming Guinness Six Nations.
Key Players in the Lineup
- Five players represent their nations: Dafydd Jenkins, Bachuki Tchumbadze, Greg Fisilau, along with others.
- Director of rugby Rob Baxter highlights the competitive nature of Bristol Bears.
Baxter commented on the Bears’ resilience, saying they remain formidable even under pressure. He stressed the importance of maintaining control throughout the game as they did in their earlier encounter this season.
Starting XV
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Full-back | Olly Woodburn |
| Wing | Immanuel Feyi-Waboso |
| Centre | Henry Slade |
| Centre | Will Haydon-Wood |
| Wing | Paul Brown-Bampoe |
| Fly-half | Harvey Skinner |
| Scrum-half | Charlie Chapman |
| Loosehead Prop | Scott Sio |
| Hooker | Joseph Dweba |
| Tighthead Prop | Bachuki Tchumbadze |
| Lock | Dafydd Jenkins (c) |
| Lock | Andrea Zambonin |
| Flanker | Tom Hooper |
| Flanker | Ethan Roots |
| Number Eight | Greg Fisilau |
Bench Strength
- Jack Yeandle
- Will Goodrick-Clarke
- Jimmy Roots
- Lewis Pearson
- Richard Capstick
- Tom Cairns
- Ben Hammersley
- Campbell Ridl
On the bench, Jack Yeandle will lead the front row. The Chiefs revert to a 5-3 split for this match, featuring players such as Lewis Pearson and Richard Capstick in the back five.
Game Insights
Baxter expressed confidence in the team’s home advantage. He emphasized the need for a competitive edge, stating that limiting Bristol’s ball possession can significantly impact their ability to score. Ridl returns to the squad after a period of disciplinary action, adding depth to the backline.
This derby is expected to be a challenging encounter, but Exeter Chiefs aim to maintain their strong home performance. Fans can still purchase tickets for the event and catch the live broadcast on TNT Sports.
