mens
gallagher-prime minister
Wallabies back-rower Tom Hooper returns to Exeter Chiefs side looking for their first win of the season as Newcastle Red Bulls visit Sandy Park on Sunday afternoon.
Hooper, key contractor for Bosses in their run to last season’s Gallagher PREM Final, returned from international duty earlier this week and will take his place on the bench.
Bosses make only one change to their pack, with Wales international Kane James moves to the bench to make room Italy international Ross Vincent on the open flank.
The only other change comes at full-back, with Sam Harris coming in after Olly Woodburn picked up a knock on his ankle in the defeat at Bath last weekend.
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter says he is pleased to bounce back with two points from the trip to the Rec and is aware of the threat a much-changed Newcastle side will pose.
“Watching the Newcastle game against Leicester (Tigers), they’re obviously a very dangerous side. They’ve got some real strengths and quality individuals in them, while they’re still learning how to come together as a team.”
“We just have to decide to be very good. I thought we improved a lot against Bath in a lot of areas. We have to look for that same improvement again this week and now go on after a long week of training. We have to decide to be very good.”
“Two points in Bath was a decent return. In most seasons, but especially the last few, it’s a good return after going to The Rec. Just picking up a point the week before at home makes things a bit more challenging, but if we can win and have seven or eight points after three weeks, then things start to get back on track.”
Exeter Chiefs: Sam Harris, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Will Butt, Tommy Wyatt, Harvey Skinner, Stephen Varney, Ethan Burger, Jack Yeandle, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Harry Wilson, Dafydd Jenkins (c), Ethan Roots, Ross Vintcent, Greg Fisilau
Replacements:
Louie Gulley, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Bachuki Chumbadze, Tom Hooper, Kane James, Sam Wolstenholme, Will Haydon-Wood, Zack Wimbush
Newcastle Red Bulls: Harrison Obatoyinbo, Christian Wade, Alex Hearle, Sammy Arnold, Werner Kok, Zack Henry, Simon Benitez Cruz, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Zuriel Togiatama, Elliot Millar Mills, Oscar Usher, Cam Jordan, Max Hicks, Tom Christie (c), Hoskins Sotutu.
Replacements: Samson Adejimi, Adam Brocklebank, James Harper, Franco Molina, Ollie Leatherbarrow, Sam Graham, James Elliott, Brett Connon.
