Team news: Chiefs to face Benetton in European quarter-final

Exeter Chiefs have named an unchanged side to take on Benetton Rugby at the Stadio Monigo in Sunday afternoon’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final.

Dafydd Jenkins captains the side which includes Chiefs’ three Italian internationals – Andrea Zambonin, Ross Vintcent and Stephen Varney – going up against their Azzurri teammates.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Last week, Benetton started their game like an absolute steam train, so we’ve got to be ready. We’ve got to hit the pitch and try to set our intensity.

“They’ve got some very good players, Tommaso Menoncello for example is up there with the best centres in the world, he’s always a threat.

“As with most Italian top teams, they’re also very strong around the set piece and cause problems at the breakdown. That’s the type of thing we’re going to have to deal with well.”

Props Scott Sio and Jimmy Roots pack down with Jack Yeandle in the front row with Jenkins and Zambonin locking down the boiler room.

Making a combined 19 carries and 79 tackles in the round of 16 match against Munster Rugby, the back-row of Tom Hooper, Ross Vintcent and Greg Fisilau ready themselves for another outing together.

Fresh from the news of his new contract, fly-half Harvey Skinner partners up with scrum-half Varney to marshall the attack. Both try-scorers last time out, Will Rigg and Henry Slade combine in the midfield.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Paul Brown-Bampoe bring power and pace to the wings with Olly Woodburn the last line of defence at full-back.

Baxter added: “The players look very energised; they’re looking forward to it. They want to do well in every competition this season, so that puts us in a good place.

“Our processes have to be about identifying what elements of the game or training will give us the best chance to win. Every game is special at this stage in the season so we’ve got to just enjoy it and aim to win.”

The replacement front-row is formed by hooker Joseph Dweba with props Ethan Burger and Bachuki Tchumbadze. The second and back row can call on reinforcements in the form of Rusi Tuima and Finn Worley Brady.

For the backs, replacements options are provided by Tom Cairns, Will Haydon-Wood and Campbell Ridl.

The game kicks off at 13:30 local time in Treviso, broadcast live on Premier Sports.