Team news: Chiefs name 35-player squad for season curtain-raiser

More than 30 players will take to the Sandy Park pitch this Saturday afternoon as the 2026/27 season officially gets underway with a friendly against Scarlets Rugby.

Three new signings – Harry Wilson, Sam Wolstenholme and Will Butt – will start the game in the XV while Charlie Poynton, Archie McArthur and Jake Murray are also included either in the second-half XV or on the bench.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We’re really pleased to get our season underway this weekend. Whether it be in pre-season or in a competition game, our meetings with Scarlets are always extremely competitive.

“To be able to give the majority of the squad who have been training some decent game-time before we head into our opening PREM Rugby Cup game next weekend is important.

“I think this is also a great opportunity for some of the young players that we’ve selected in the squad as well as being a chance to get some of the new players who have arrived up and running with their first taste of Sandy Park and playing in an Exeter Chiefs shirt.”

Locally reared Louie Gulley starts at hooker while senior academy players Harry Westlake, Morgan Crew, Oisin Smith, Alfie Johns and Charlie Bosanko have all impressed in pre-season training to be included in the matchday squad.

One of last season’s breakout stars, Campbell Ridl starts the game on the wing with Olly Woodburn, to allow for the long-anticipated return of Tommy Wyatt at full-back.

Baxter added: “I think the squad have had a really good pre-season and when they’re training now, you can sense that they’re ready to get playing some rugby.

“This will be a good and exciting game, a great introduction back into rugby for us all. Hopefully the speed and flow of movement we’ve seen in training will be reflected in the performance this weekend. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The game kicks off at 15:00 in Exeter with live updates available in our match centre here. Alternatively, match tickets are still available to purchase here.