Team news: Chiefs named to battle for final top four berth

Exeter Chiefs have selected their side to take on Saracens at Sandy Park in a final head-to-head for the last remaining Gallagher PREM top four berth.

The round 18 match is the final decider on whether the Exetermen or the Londoners are to progress to the semi-finals alongside Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby and Leicester Tigers.

Paul Brown-Bampoe and Christ Tshiunza both come into the starting line-up following facial injuries to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Greg Fisilau in the victory over Tigers last Sunday afternoon.

After extensive monitoring by the Chiefs medical team and investigative scans, a decision has been made in partnership with England Rugby for Feyi-Waboso to undergo surgery. Both he and Fisilau will continue to be monitored regarding their return to play.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “I think now, your emotional energy takes over more than your physical energy. I’ve seen it happen before that you look around and see everyone is on their toes, moving quickly and everyone is ready to go. So then, what you start doing as a coaching group, is almost hold the lads back a little at the start of the week to make sure they don’t drain their batteries too soon.

“Saracens are turning up, scoring points, winning games. We’re not far off that form, I don’t think. They’re doing whatever they have to do to win, and that’s often the mark of a very good side. I think this will be a great test for us.

“I think the lads are looking forward to it. All I’ve asked of the lads is not to play nervous. They can play with any other emotion they like, just not nerves. That’s the bit we’ve got to get right on Saturday.”

The front five of the scrum remains intact after an impressive outing in round 17. Loosehead Scott Sio prepares to play his final game at Sandy Park as a Chiefs with hooker Max Norey and tighthead Josh Iosefa-Scott packed down beside him.

After a try-scoring, man of the match performance last time out, Andrea Zambonin wears the number five with match captain Dafydd Jenkins his partner in the second row.

A reshuffle in the back-row sees Tom Hooper on the blindside flank with openside manned by Tshiunza and Ethan Roots slotting back into the no.8 spot.

There’s no change to the midfield for Chiefs. Scrum-half Stephen Varney and fly-half Harvey Skinner both line up in front of the centre partnership of Henry Slade and Len Ikitau, another ready to bid his Sandy Park farewell.

A brace of tries against Leicester means Olly Woodburn has the full-back berth locked down, with Campbell Ridl starting on the wing with Brown-Bampoe.

Baxter added: “I look at our team, and we’ve got a couple of players that were involved in the losing and winning of finals, but…outside of those players, that team isn’t on the field anymore. The team that is there now is one that’s got to build its own reputation, build its own history and have its own successes and failures. All of that is going to be based, not on Saracens, but on what we can do as a team.”

The notable inclusion for the forwards on the bench is the inclusion of exciting youngster Kane James. This weekend will mark the back-rower’s first return to action since January, when he sustained a large ankle injury against Cardiff Rugby.

Elsewhere, the replacement front row of Joseph Dweba, Ethan Burger and Bachuki Tchumbadze. Meanwhile, it could be an emotional day for Rusi Tuima, who will play his last home game in a Chiefs shirt having been a part of the club since he was a 14-year-old academy player.

Ben Hammersley returns to the bench to provide cover for the backline alongside Tom Cairns and Zack Wimbush.

The game kicks off at 15:15 in Devon, broadcast live on TNT Sports or you can follow the action in our live match centre here.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Olly Woodburn

14 Paul Brown-Bampoe

13 Henry Slade

12 Len Ikitau

11 Campbell Ridl

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Stephen Varney

1 Scott Sio

2 Max Norey

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)

5 Andrea Zambonin

6 Tom Hooper

7 Christ Tshiunza

8 Ethan Roots

Replacements:

16 Joseph Dweba

17 Ethan Burger

18 Bachuki Tchumbadze

19 Rusi Tuima

20 Kane James

21 Tom Cairns

22 Zack Wimbush

23 Ben Hammersley