Team news: Chiefs name side for Big Summer Kick-Off

Exeter Chiefs have named an unchanged starting XV to face Harlequins in their Big Summer kick-off fixture on Saturday afternoon at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

The round 16 Gallagher PREM fixture will take place at the home of English Rugby, as one of the league’s highlighted big games.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Last weekend’s result keeps everything exciting for us, which is important at this stage in the season. I think the game showed how key the small margins are and the importance of showing up mentally, emotionally and physically.

“We’ve shown we’re still fighting, that we still want something out of this season. Three games and we’re still right in the mix, so we couldn’t really ask for a bigger challenge than Harlequins in their big game this weekend.”

After a player of the match performance against Bath Rugby last Sunday, making 14 carries and scoring one of Chiefs’ four tries, Josh Iosefa-Scott starts at tighthead. He is joined by Scott Sio and Max Norey in making up the front row.

The league leader in attacking ruck entries this season, Dafydd Jenkins captains the side from a second-row partnership with Andrea Zambonin. After a combined 37 tackles last time out, the back-row is formed by Tom Hooper, Christ Tshiunza and Ross Vintcent.

Stephen Varney starts at scrum-half while Harvey Skinner runs out for his 100th Prem Rugby appearance at fly-half. The back three of Campbell Ridl, Paul Brown-Bampoe and Olly Woodburn also remains intact.

Len Ikitau prepares to grace the Twickenham turf for the first time since the Wallabies defeated England in November 2024. The Aussie links up with England’s Henry Slade in the centre combination.

Baxter added: “I think their result against Newcastle showed the best of Harlequins’ attack. Their dangerous when they create hot ball and create broken field situations. So, we’ve discussed how fundamental it will be for us to get our game correct and firing on both sides of the ball, attack and defence.”

The sole change to the match 23 comes on the bench as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns to full fitness for selection alongside Tom Cairns and Will Haydon-Wood.

The pack’s replacements are weighty ones, headed up by a front-row of Joseph Dweba, Ethan Burger and Bachuki Tchumbadze. Rusi Tuima and Finn Worley Brady round out the side.

The game kicks off at 16:00 in London, broadcast live on TNT Sports. You can follow the game in our live match centre here.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Olly Woodburn

14 Paul Brown-Bampoe

13 Henry Slade

12 Len Ikitau

11 Campbell Ridl

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Stephen Varney

1 Scott Sio

2 Max Norey

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)

5 Andrea Zambonin

6 Tom Hooper

7 Christ Tshiunza

8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements:

16 Joseph Dweba

17 Ethan Burger

18 Bachuki Tchumbadze

19 Rusi Tuima

20 Finn Worley Brady

21 Tom Cairns

22 Will Haydon-Wood

23 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso