TEAM NEWS Six changes for Chiefs against Tigers

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Created on Saturday, 20 March 2021 00:00

Last Updated on Friday, 19 March 2021 22:50

Published on Saturday, 20 March 2021 00:00

Written by MARK STEVENS at Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs continue their pursuit of Bristol at the Premiership summit when they play host to Leicester Tigers in round 14 at Sandy Park today 1430ko.

Fresh from a hard-fought 21-20 victory over Harlequins last time out, Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter is looking for more of the same from his side against a Tigers outfit, who claimed their first Premiership away win in almost two years with a 20-14 success at Gloucester.

With Baxter still shy of international stars on Six Nations duty, his back division selection has been further hampered with ankle injuries to Ian Whitten and Tom Hendrickson, as well as further hamstring concerns over winger Alex Cuthbert.

It means the Chiefs have been forced into change for tomorrow’s fixture, welcoming Ollie Devoto and Harvey Skinner into a new-look midfield, while Olly Woodburn fills the void left by Cuthbert on the right wing.

Other changes see Jack Maunder given the nod at scrum-half in place of Stu Townsend; Ben Moon – impressive off the bench in the last two games – starts at loosehead with Alec Hepburn dropping down to the bench; and Sean Lonsdale comes into the second-row with Sam Skinner have been called up by Scotland for their clash with Italy at Murrayfield.

On the bench, there are recalls to the match-day squad for Don Armand and Josh Hodge, as well as first-ever involvement for Academy youngster Dan John.

Exeter starting 15 Facundo Cordero 14 Olly Woodburn 13 Harvey Skinner 12 Ollie Devoto 11 Tom O’Flaherty 10 Joe Simmonds (capt) 9 Jack Maunder 1 Ben Moon 2 Jack Innard 3 Harry Williams 4 Jannes Kirsten 5 Sean Lonsdale 6 Dave Ewers 7 Jacques Vermeulen 8 Sam Simmonds

16 Elvis Taione 17 Alec Hepburn 18 Marcus Street 19 Don Armand 20 Richard Capstick 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne 22 Dan John 23 Josh Hodge

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