Team news: Chiefs name side for Ashton Gate derby weekend trip

Exeter Chiefs have named a relatively settled starting line-up with debutants on the bench as they travel to Ashton Gate for a Derby Weekend match-up with Bristol Bears.

This weekend’s hosts suffered a heavy defeat to Saracens at the StoneX last Saturday on the same day that Chiefs secured their first win of the season.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We want to be creating opportunities for the players to show the best versions of themselves. I think we’re doing that pretty well, but things are still patchy. We’re two games into the Prem season and we’ve probably only had three good halves, so there’s work to be done.”

The sole change to the starting pack comes in the front row, club captain Jack Yeandle replacing Joseph Dweba in the hooker berth. Will Goodrick-Clarke lines up at loosehead with Josh Iosefa-Scott at tighthead.

Match captain Dafydd Jenkins pairs Andrea Zambonin in the boiler room with a back row of Ethan Roots, Greg Fisilau and Ross Vintcent.

Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner look to continue building upon their half-back partnership while Ben Hammersley and Henry Slade are once more selected at inside and outside centre.

Already on five tries this season, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso hunts for more as he starts on the wing with Paul Brown-Bampoe and Dan John at full-back.

Baxter said: “Whenever you play Bristol, you’ve got to expect them to attack, to score tries and play with tempo. Keeping the ball moving has become somewhat their trademark. They’ll look to outscore you, so we have to be very focused on being alert.”

There are two debutants named on the bench as hooker Julian Heaven and prop Ethan Burger help Georgia’s Bachuki Tchumbadze form the replacement front row.

Another six-two split leaves room for Rusi Tuima, Lewis Pearson and Kane James to all sit alongside back-line replacements Charlie Chapman and Nick Lilley.

Kick-off is at 15:00 in Bristol with the game live on TNT Sports. Match tickets are still available on Bristol’s website here.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Dan John

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Henry Slade

12 Ben Hammersley

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Stephen Varney

1 Will Goodrick-Clarke

2 Jack Yeandle

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)

5 Andrea Zambonin

6 Ethan Roots

7 Greg Fisilau

8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements:

16 Julian Heaven

17 Ethan Burger

18 Bachuki Tchumbadze

19 Rusi Tuima

20 Lewis Pearson

21 Kane James

22 Charlie Chapman

23 Nick Lilley