Team News: Chiefs Named for Royal Navy Friendly

Exeter Chiefs have named an extended side to welcome the Royal Navy Rugby Union to Sandy Park for a friendly match-up this Wednesday evening.

Rob Baxter has named a varied starting line-up with 12 players named to the bench to enable wider squad members some valuable game-time during the international window.

In the front row, Patrick Schickerling starts at loosehead prop alongside Dan Frost at hooker and Marcus Street at tighthead prop.

Eoin O’Connor starts in the second row alongside the evening’s captain, Matt Postlethwaite. The back row then features the injury return of Welsh international Christ Tshiunza on the flank with Richard Capstick and Hallam Chapman at eight.

The young duo of scrum half Will Becconsall and fly half Iwan Jenkins start together in the half back berth.

Joe Hawkins returns from a ban received following his red card away to Bayonne in the Investec Champions Cup to partner Israel Akinrowo in the centre.

In the back three, Jed Findlay starts at fullback with Paul Brown and Rhys Williams on the wings.

It’s another unconventional bench for this latest friendly with a total 12 players named.

For the front row cover there are: hookers Jack Innard and Iestyn Harris; and props Billy Keast, Jacob Morris, Keita Ando and Albert Dowse.

The remainder of the pack is then covered by Tom Dingle, Mawgen Warren and Freddy Rolls.

For the back line, the three replacement options are James Howard, Freddie Hirst and Luca Brano.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Jed Findlay

14 Paul Brown

13 Joe Hawkins

12 Israel Akinrowo

11 Rhys Williams

10 Iwan Jenkins