Team news: Chiefs name side to fight for a cup semi-final spot

In their last pool match of the PREM Rugby Cup, the Exeter Chiefs 23 are battling to secure a semi-final spot in the competition with a win against Bath Rugby.

One week on from a Valentine’s Day bonus-point win over Gloucester, a five-point win for Rob Baxter’s side against the reigning champions at Sandy Park will be pivotal to Chiefs’ knockout hopes. The side is boosted by the return of Greg Fisilau and Henry Slade from the England squad.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We weren’t intending to use our England boys but we’ve had a couple of late withdrawals from our original line-up, so we’re fortunate that they’ve been released back to us to select.

“They wanted game-time and Henry specifically can cover multiple positions, so they were kind of no-brainer decisions for us when the opportunity arose to draft them in.”

There is just a single change in the pack as Lewis Pearson recovers from a knee knock to start in the second row with Rusi Tuima. Will Goodrick-Clarke and Josh Iosefa-Scott prop up the front row with hooker Max Norey.

Ethan Roots captains the side from number eight for a second week with Martin Moloney and EURFC captain Finn Worley Brady at blindside and openside flanker.

Scrum-half Tom Cairns rotates back into the starting XV alongside fly-half Harvey Skinner. Ollie Batson and Zack Wimbush line up in the midfield. There are two changes in the back three as alongside Paul Brown-Bampoe this weekend, Dan John will line up at full-back with Olly Woodburn rounding out the trio on the wing.

Baxter added: “The competition isn’t completely in our hands is the reality of it, but I’d like to think a decent performance and decent result would give us a very good opportunity to advance in the competition. Ultimately, every team wants to play more games.”

The replacement front row of Julian Heaven, Khwezi Mona and Jimmy Roots is joined by one of Chiefs’ latest re-signings, Joe Bailey and the returning Fisilau.

Will Haydon-Wood rotates back into the matchday side as he is named alongside Charlie Chapman and Slade in providing cover for the backline.

The Chiefs game kicks off at 16:30 in Devon with the England v Ireland Guinness Six Nations match being shown in the Powderham Bar pre-match.