Team News: Chiefs Named for Quarter Final in Toulouse

Rob Baxter has named his Chiefs side to travel to Stade Ernest-Wallon to take on Toulouse on Sunday afternoon, April 14, in an Investec Champions Cup quarter-final clash.

Chiefs secured a 21-15 comeback win against Bath Rugby at a windy Sandy Park last weekend, and Baxter puts his faith into the same squad to head to the Stade Ernest-Wallon.

Having made his 50th Champions Cup appearance against west country rivals, Jack Yeandle starts at hooker with Scott Sio his loosehead and Ehren Painter his tighthead.

Captain Dafydd Jenkins starts in the boiler room of the second row with Rusi Tuima. Meanwhile, Christ Tshiunza gives a valuable lineout stealing option in the back row where he starts alongside Ethan Roots and Ross Vintcent.

Tom Cairns and Harvey Skinner will pull the strings as the halfback pairing while Ollie Devoto and Henry Slade once more form a fan-favourite centre pairing.

In the back three, Olly Woodburn and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso run the wings with Josh Hodge - on his 50th Chiefs appearance - at full back.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter believes the Last 16 performance against Bath Rugby and this upcoming test in the Quarter Final will be valuable experience for his Chiefs squad.

“I think the performance against Bath Rugby was possibly one of our best of the season in a lot of ways. They’re a good side and they’ve had a couple of good results against us this season. They’re one of the form teams in the Gallagher Premiership – home and away – so we’re very pleased with the result.

“The way the lads got into the game the way we wanted to and the way they dealt with the scoreboard pressure and the conditions was really good as well. I think it kind of shows a level of maturity a bit beyond where the team could or should be. So, I think it bodes well for where we’re heading as a Premiership team. Now our test this weekend is seeing where we’re heading as a European team as well.

“We said in the changing room that, as a team, the players have got to do one of the hardest things you do in sport which is to get yourself to a very competitive level two weeks running. At the same time, that’s how you win trophies. Winning trophies and getting to big games is when you put back-to-back performances in. So, that’s the next step for us to try to achieve.”

On the bench, the replacement front row is formed by Danny Southworth, Jack Innard at hooker, and Marcus Street. Lewis Pearson and Greg Fisilau will then look to feature off the bench in the second and back row.

In the back replacements, the experience of Stu Townsend is joined by the youth of Will Haydon-Wood and Zack Wimbush.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Henry Slade

12 Ollie Devoto

11 Olly Woodburn

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Tom Cairns

1 Scott Sio

2 Jack Yeandle

3 Ehren Painter