Chiefs revamp backline ready to bear down on Bristol

Exeter Chiefs Women will field a revamped backline when they take on Bristol Bears Women at Sandy Park on Sunday, January 12 with kick off at 3pm. This Round 13 PWR match is included in all season tickets. 

Taylor Perry will start at fly-half alongside Flo Robinson in the half-back pairing, while Liv McGoverne moves to inside centre. Nancy McGillivray retains her place at No 13. Claudia MacDonald makes her first start in 11 months, with Katie Buchanan lining up on the other wing. Lastly, Alex Tessier is moved to full-back.

Head coach Susie Appleby praised the changes, particularly Perry’s inclusion: “Taylor is a class player; she’s very quick and has a great skillset and vision, and the ability to spot space, so she deserves a shot to start to see if she really ignites our backs’ line.”

Appleby also explained McGoverne’s shift to inside centre: “We’ve shifted Liv to 12 because she’s a big physical carrier but also has that skillset to put people into space and has the kicking game. Tess is going to have a run at full-back, and again, hopefully she will bring the pace and kicking game she has.”

MacDonald’s return to the starting XV after a serious neck injury was one of the standout moments in the Chiefs’ last outing at Sandy Park. After 10 months of intensive rehabilitation, the England international is back in action.

Appleby shared her excitement for MacDonald’s return: “Claud has been off a long time, but she has been training and training and training. I think the Gloucester-Hartpury game showed that she has just absorbed things. She wants to get on the ball, and we want to get her on the ball. She has the big power game, massive speed, and that energy and desire to impact a game, which is exciting.”

In the forwards, Emily Tuttosi returns to start at hooker, while Dorothy Wall moves back into the second row from No 8, with Rachel Johnson set to start at No 8 in this Round 13 PWR game.

On the bench, Maisy Allen and Georgina Tasker both make their welcome return from injury.

Chiefs head into Sunday’s match with a tough schedule ahead, facing seven consecutive games. The re-arranged fixture against Bristol will take place over the weekend of February 7/8.

Currently sitting third in the PWR, the Chiefs are looking to close the gap on leaders Harlequins and second-placed Gloucester-Hartpury, with two games in hand. Meanwhile, Bristol will be eager to bounce back from recent losses to Saracens and Gloucester-Hartpury.

Appleby commented on Bristol’s strong performances: “Away at Sarries is a really hard place to go, but Bristol came away with a point, and it was a really tight game. They were in a game with Gloucester-Hartpury as well, but then Gloucester just took off and pressed the physicality button that we know they have. Bristol are a really good side, and we know that. They have world-class players across their 15 and 23, so we’re not taking anything for granted. We are hoping to perform better ourselves than we did last time out, and that’s all every team is doing.”

With a revamped backline and key players returning to the fold, the team is looking sharper and more dynamic than ever. We expect the Chiefs to bear down on Bristol and show them who rules the Sandy Park wilderness!