Baxter names squad to face Saints

Rob Baxter has made five changes to his starting line-up for Chiefs’ Gallagher Premiership Round Eleven home clash with Northampton Saints today (Saturday, January 6).

The 2024 calendar year debuts with a big clash as Baxter’s second place Chiefs take on table-toppers, Phil Dowson’s Saints.

Nika Abuladze at loosehead and Josh Iosefa-Scott at tighthead retain their places with veteran Jack Yeandle rotating back into the side to start at hooker between the two.

Another rotation occurs in the second row as Rusi Tuima and Lewis Pearson trade places – the former moving to the bench to allow for the latter starting alongside Dafydd Jenkins.

After impressing off the bench against Bristol Bears, Jacques Vermeulen is returned to the starting line-up in a back row which also features Ethan Roots and Greg Fisilau.

Stu Towsend and Harvey Skinner remain in place as the half-back duo. Joe Hawkins reclaims the 12 shirt to partner Henry Slade in the centre as Ollie Devoto moves to the bench.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso starts on the wing with Ben Hammersley moving into the opposite wing spot to allow for Tommy Wyatt’s return at fullback.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter is happy with the environment his squad have created and the mindset they are approaching each training week and game with. He says this week will be a test of Chiefs’ resilience following a win for Saints against his Exeter men earlier in the season.

The game kicks off at Sandy Park at 3pm.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Tommy Wyatt

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Henry Slade

12 Joe Hawkins

11 Ben Hammersley

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Stu Townsend

1 Nika Abuladze

2 Jack Yeandle

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Lewis Pearson

5 Dafydd Jenkins (c)

6 Ethan Roots

7 Jacques Vermeulen

8 Greg Fisilau

Replacements:

16 Max Norey

17 Alec Hepburn

18 Ehren Painter

19 Rusi Tuima

20 Ross Vintcent

21 Tom Cairns

22 Ollie Devoto

23 Zack Wimbush