Team news: Chiefs name two more debutants for round five of PREM Cup

Exeter Chiefs will be led out by Louie Gulley on Saturday afternoon as the young hooker takes the match captaincy just one week on from his club debut as his England U20s teammates Campbell Ridl and Oscar Beckerleg both prepare for their debuts.

Chiefs face Bristol Bears at Sandy Park in round five of the PREM Rugby Cup as all four debutants from round four against Sale Sharks are again included in the 23.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We’re focused on giving players opportunities to play and that’s what we’re going to do again this weekend. We’ve got to make sure we utilise the squad, especially our home-grown players as often as we can, and continue to develop players as we go along.

“We’ve got to grow ourselves again into a team that is strong in all three competitions. That doesn’t happen overnight, it takes a little pain, but that’s how you eventually get to where you want to be.”

Georgian tighthead prop Bachuki Tchumbadze joins Gulley in being promoted from the bench to the starting line-up while Ethan Burger retains the loosehead shirt.

Lewis Pearson and Rusi Tuima form a solid partnership in the second row while Richard Capstick, who hit the most counter-rucks for Chiefs last time out, moves to number eight to accommodate Joe Bailey joining Martin Moloney on the flanks.

Scrum half Tom Cairns and Will Haydon-Wood form the half-back duo for the first time this season. Will Rigg impressed with the most carries against Sale and he starts at inside centre with Ollie Batson outside him.

England U20s and EURFC’s Ridl starts on debut, named on the wing with Paul Brown-Bampoe as Dan John slots in at full-back.

Baxter said: “I think our pack were frustrated with their performance last week, but that’s something we’ve discussed this week, so I think they’re all prepared to individually and collectively step up this weekend.”

Having returned from 18 months out injured to debut against Sale, Khwezi Mona is selected with Julian Heaven and Jimmy Roots in the replacement front row. EURFC is well represented on the bench with debutant Beckerleg and university captain Finn Worley Brady wearing 19 and 20.

Rotations mean last weekend’s starters Charlie Chapman, Ben Coen and Harry Ascherl are available as replacements.

The game kicks off at 15:00 in Devon with tickets still available on our website here. There will be no live broadcast of the game, but highlights will be available on YouTube.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Dan John

14 Paul Brown-Bampoe

13 Ollie Batson

12 Will Rigg

11 Campbell Ridl

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Tom Cairns

1 Ethan Burger

2 Louie Gulley (c)

3 Bachuki Tchumbadze

4 Lewis Pearson

5 Rusi Tuima

6 Joe Bailey

7 Martin Moloney

8 Richard Capstick

Replacements:

16 Julian Heaven

17 Khwezi Mona

18 Jimmy Roots

19 Oscar Beckerleg

20 Finn Worley Brady

21 Charlie Chapman

22 Ben Coen

23 Harry Ascherl