Team news: England A captain Roots returns for penultimate PREM Cup match
Published on: 13/02/2026
One week on from captaining England A to victory over an Ireland side at Thomond Park, Ethan Roots will captain Exeter Chiefs in their penultimate PREM Rugby Cup pool match against Gloucester Rugby.
The match, which kicks off at 14:00 at Sandy Park on Valentine’s Day, could have a big influence on the knockout rounds of the competition as the top two sides in Pool A meet.
Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “I’m expecting it to be a full-blooded game this weekend, Gloucester are coming here with a real opportunity to get positive momentum in the competition.”
Having returned to action with a try brace last weekend, Max Norey starts at hooker with Will Goodrick-Clarke on the loosehead and Josh Iosefa-Scott at tighthead.
Richard Capstick moves up into the second row alongside Rusi Tuima as Lewis Pearson is rested following a small knee knock. Roots slots into the open back-row spot alongside Martin Moloney and Finn Worley Brady.
Charlie Chapman is handed the starting scrum-half shirt as Harvey Skinner returns to the matchday side at fly-half. It’s a young centre partnership as Ollie Batson takes up the inside centre berth with Zack Wimbush lining up outside him.
A try off the bench against Bristol Bears sees Paul Brown-Bampoe promoted back to the starting line-up with Campbell Ridl on the opposite wing and Josh Hodge at full-back.
Baxter added: “Looking at the way the table lies, and the fact we have a bye-week in the final pool round, it looks like we have to win this game and the next to be in with a chance for the semi-finals. So, there’s a bit of pressure on both sides.”
The bench features a traditional 5-3 split. Hooker Julian Heaven with props Khwezi Mona and Jimmy Roots form the replacement front row. Youngsters Oscar Beckerleg and Joe Bailey cover the back-five.
Tom Cairns and Ben Coen form the replacement half-back pairing with Dan John rounding out the matchday side.
The game kicks off at 14:00 in Devon with tickets still available on the club website here.
Exeter Chiefs:
15 Josh Hodge
14 Paul Brown-Bampoe
13 Zack Wimbush
12 Ollie Batson
11 Campbell Ridl
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Charlie Chapman
1 Will Goodrick-Clarke
2 Max Norey
3 Josh Iosefa-Scott
4 Richard Capstick
5 Rusi Tuima
6 Martin Moloney
7 Finn Worley Brady
8 Ethan Roots (c)
Replacements:
16 Julian Heaven
17 Khwezi Mona
18 Jimmy Roots
19 Oscar Beckerleg
20 Joe Bailey
21 Tom Cairns
22 Ben Coen
23 Dan John
Written By:
Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club
