Team News: Chiefs Name Side for Premiership Rugby Cup Semi-Final

Exeter Chiefs have named their side to face Gloucester at Kingsholm this Saturday afternoon in the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final.

Rob Baxter has named a strong starting side which sees the injury return of both Scott Sio and Richard Capstick.

Alongside Sio in the front row will be Max Norey at hooker - on his first outing as captain - and Ehren Painter at tighthead.

The strong pairing of Rusi Tuima and Lewis Pearson starts in the second row with Dafydd Jenkins resting on international duty with Wales.

Jacques Vermeulen moves to the blindside flank to make room for Capstick’s start at openside with Greg Fisilau at number eight.

Tom Cairns and Harvey Skinner take their places as the half-back duo with Ollie Devoto and Zack Wimbush selected as the centre pairing. In the back three, Josh Hodge at fullback is supported by Ben Hammersley and Arthur Relton on the wings.

Baxter believes his squad are ready for what will be some of the players’ first foray into Premiership knockout rugby.

“We’re really looking forward to getting back involved in the Premiership Cup. We enjoyed it at the start of the season – it created a great platform for a lot of our players that have gone on to have good seasons.

“It also gives us the opportunity to get involved in a first knockout game of the season, so we’re looking forward to it.

“I was really pleased with how the Scarlets friendly went last weekend. We got a lot of important rugby and game minutes into important players. We took a lot out of that game so hopefully we can carry that form into this weekend.

“Gloucester’s last performance at home in the Premiership was very positive for them, so I think they’ll feel pretty good about where they stand at the moment. Again, for them, it’s an opportunity to get to a final and that will give them a lot of energy and desire to do well.”

In the replacements, Chiefs feature the traditional 5-3 split. Danny Southworth, Jack Yeandle and Josh Iosefa-Scott form the front row with Jack Dunne and Ross Vintcent to cover the second and back rows.

In the backs, Will Becconsall and Iwan Jenkins are joined by recent new signing Will Rigg who could make his Chiefs debut off the bench having impressed in last weekend’s friendly against Scarlets.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Ben Hammersley

13 Zack Wimbush

12 Ollie Devoto

11 Arthur Relton

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Tom Cairns

1 Scott Sio

2 Max Norey

3 Ehren Painter

4 Rusi Tuima