Team News: Baxter Names Changed Side for Trip to Sale

Rob Baxter has made seven changes to his starting line-up for Chiefs’ trip to Sale Sharks in Round 14 this Sunday afternoon, March 31.

Baxter’s men returned to Gallagher Premiership action last weekend following the conclusion of the Guinness Six Nations with a bonus point win over Newcastle Falcons at Sandy Park.

This weekend sees the return of four internationals to the Chiefs’ starting line-up as Henry Slade, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Dafydd Jenkins and Ross Vintcent all pull on their Exeter colours.

The front row is an experienced one with just one change as Ehren Painter comes into the matchday side to start alongside Scott Sio and Jack Yeandle.

An all Welsh international second row starts as Dafydd Jenkins returns from captaining his country to partner Christ Tshiunza on his injury return. In the back row, Vintcent is promoted from the bench to feature alongside Richard Capstick and Greg Fisilau.

The half-back pairing is unchanged with Will Becconsall and Harvey Skinner remaining in place. In contrast, it is a completely new centre pairing as Slade slots back into the side with the newly debuted Will Rigg inside of him.

In the back three, for a second week Olly Woodburn and Josh Hodge start on the wing and at full back respectively while Immanuel Feyi-Waboso passes through all of his concussion protocols to start.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter believes a deciding factor in the game will be ensuring his squad keep focus on themselves and their own game-plan rather than becoming consumed by what their opposition will be looking to achieve.

“It’s always a tough game up at Sale Sharks. We’ve gone well there in the past, but the truth is they’ll be hurting a little bit. They’re very ambitious to be in the top four come the end of the season, so they’ll be throwing everything they possibly can at the game – as we will.

“We’re in the top four now and we’d like to stay there. Games are running out thick and fast but it’s making for an exciting end to the season. We’ve got to go there this weekend and show the best of ourselves. We’ve got to make sure we don’t get forced into playing the way Sale want the game to be played.

“We’ve got to work extremely hard to make the game as much as we can about ourselves. I think that’s going to be our battle and whoever wins that will probably end up coming out on top.”

On the bench, the replacement front row features Dan Frost, Danny Southworth and Marcus Street. Lewis Pearson and Jack Dunne are the remaining cover for the pack in the 5-3 bench split.

For the backs, Stu Townsend, Will Haydon-Wood and Zack Wimbush are ready to be called upon.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Henry Slade

12 Will Rigg

11 Olly Woodburn

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Will Becconsall

1 Scott Sio

2 Jack Yeandle

3 Ehren Painter