mens
gallagher-prime minister
Exeter Chiefs and England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns to Chiefs starting line-up for round five Gallagher PREM v Harlequins at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon.
Feyi-Waboso has recovered from a hamstring injury to feature in the back-three for the Halloween clash where the bottom two clubs come together.
However, Dafydd Jenkins and Tom Hooper are both absent as they battled it out Bristol Bears last weekend.
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “I think it’s a big challenge for us this weekend. Harlequins will arrive feeling good after a comprehensive win over Saracens last week where they played very well. We’re probably a bit nervous because we’re looking at the league table thinking we need points.
“I think it will make it an interesting match. We are both good sides with good players and the will to win. So the mental approach of both sides will be an interesting factor. My challenge is to get ours right by the time we kick off.”
Gallagher Premiership
P
W
L
D
PF
Well
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
In total
1
4
3
1
0
16
2
4
3
1
0
16
3
4
3
1
0
14
4
4
2
2
0
11
5
4
2
2
0
11
6
4
2
2
0
11
7
4
2
2
0
9
8
4
1
3
0
8
9
4
1
3
0
8
10
4
1
3
0
7
The Bosses the front row is unchanged from last week, with props Nik Abuladze and Josh Iosefa-Scott lining up either side of jack Yeandle, who captains the side in Jenkins’ absence.
With Hooper also ruled out, there is an opportunity for Lewis Pearson to make his first appearance since picking up a pectoral muscle injury in the Cup game against Bristol Bears in September. He teamed up with Harry Wilson for the first time.
Ethan Roots, Ross Vintcent and No.8 Greg Fisilau again go as the back-row contingent.
Stephen Varney returns to his starting position at scrum-half and Harvey Skinner at fly-half. Will Butt and Henry Slade are entrusted with the keys to the midfield for another week.
Feyi-Waboso returns to the right wing and Olly Woodburn moves to the left to accommodate Will Haydon-Wood who enters the XV at full-back.
Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins, 3pm KO, Sandy Park, Saturday 31 October:
15 Will Haydon-Wood
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
13 Henry Slade
12 Will Butt
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Stephen Varney
1 Nika Abuladze
2 Jack Yeandle (c)
3 Josh Iosefa-Scott
4 Lewis Pearson
5 Harry Wilson
6 Ethan Roots
7 Ross Vincent
8 Greg Fisilau
Replacements:
16 Max Norey
17 Will Goodrick-Clarke
18 Bachuki Chumbadze
19 Joe Bailey
20 Kane James
21 Sam Wolstenholme
22 Ben Hammersley
23 Zack Wimbush