Team news: Chiefs name experienced side for Stade Francais trip

Exeter Chiefs return to EPCR Challenge Cup action for the first time in 2026 with a second Parisian away day, against Stade Francais.

The round three pool stage match will kick-off at 14:00 French time at the Stade Jean Bouin with Paul Brown-Bampoe returning to action for the first time since November 2025.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Stade Francais were very good in their last home round in this competition, and they’re unbeaten at the top of the pool so whatever happens, it’s not going to be a simple game for us.”

The forward pack from last weekend’s Gallagher PREM face-off at the Recreation Ground remains intact, with captain Dafydd Jenkins leading the side from the second row.

Scott Sio, Joseph Dweba and Bachuki Tchumbadze form the front row. Italian international Andrea Zambonin compliments his Welsh counterpart Jenkins in the second row. While the back-row is once more formed by Tom Hooper, Ethan Roots and Greg Fisilau.

With an injury ruling out Stephen Varney, at scrum-half Charlie Chapman comes into the starting line-up with Will Haydon-Wood at fly-half. Will Rigg and Henry Slade continue in the centres while Brown-Bampoe lines up in the back-three with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Olly Woodburn.

Baxter said: “Our goal is to get our emotional battery recharged after the Bath result so that we can look forward to another tough game of rugby but one that could be very important for us as the season unwinds.”

In the same week as the club announced his re-signing, prop Will Goodrick-Clarke joins Jack Yeandle and Jimmy Roots in the replacement front-row. Switching to a 6-2 split for this fixture, there are three further options for cover to the pack with Rusi Tuima, Lewis Pearson and Kane James all selected.

Covering the back-line will be Tom Cairns and Ben Coen.

The game will be available to watch on a livestream available on the EPCR website.

Please note, due to a kit clash, Chiefs will be wearing white away kit rather than purple cup kit.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Olly Woodburn

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Will Rigg

12 Henry Slade

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Charlie Chapman

1 Scott Sio

2 Joseph Dweba

3 Bachuki Tchumbadze

4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)

5 Andrea Zambonin

6 Tom Hooper

7 Ethan Roots

8 Greg Fisilau

Replacements:

16 Jack Yeandle

17 Will Goodrick-Clarke

18 Jimmy Roots

19 Rusi Tuima

20 Lewis Pearson

21 Kane James

22 Tom Cairns

23 Ben Coen