Chiefs return to summit with 14-7 win over Saracens
- Details
- Created on Sunday, 29 December 2019 17:39
- Last Updated on Monday, 30 December 2019 10:20
- Published on Sunday, 29 December 2019 17:39
- Written by MARK STEVENS & ROSS REID
Exeter Chiefs returned to the Premiership summit with a hard-fought 14-7 home win over arch rivals Saracens.Northampton topped the table on 23 points following a 33-26 home win over third placed Gloucester on Saturday but Chiefs egded past the Saints by a point following victory in front of a record 13,593 at sold out Sandy Park.
Following Bath's 16-14 home win over Sale on Saturday, West sides occupy four of the top five places in England's top flight.
Bath's win lifted them to fifth, top of a four team pack - including Sale - on 17 points after seven rounds.
Bristol remain fourth - level on 18 points with Gloucester - despite Friday's 26-21 home defeat by Wasps.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter recalled many of his frontline stars, who missed last Saturday's 33-21 win at Leicester.
England duo Alec Hepburn and Luke Cowan-Dickie returned in the front-row, as well as Dave Dennis, Dave Ewers and free-scoring No.8 Sam Simmonds.
Behind, Nic White and Joe Simmonds returned at half-back, while Henry Slade’s leg injury meant Ian Whitten reverted to midfield alongside Devoto with Jack Nowell restored on the right wing.
White's converted try gave Chiefs a 7-0 half time lead, extended when Jacques Vermeulen went over in the 52nd minute. Joe Simmonds converted both tries before Saracens scored a last minute penalty try.
EXETER CHIEFS STARTING XV vs SARACENS
15 Stuart Hogg
14 Jack Nowell
13 Ian Whitten
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Nic White
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Harry Williams
4 Dave Dennis (capt)
5 Jonny Hill
6 Dave Ewers
7 Jacques Vermeulen
8 Sam Simmonds
16 Elvis Taione
17 Ben Moon
18 Enrique Pieretto
19 Jannes Kirsten
Behind, Nic White and Joe Simmonds returned at half-back, while Henry Slade’s leg injury meant Ian Whitten reverted to midfield alongside Devoto with Jack Nowell restored on the right wing.
White's converted try gave Chiefs a 7-0 half time lead, extended when Jacques Vermeulen went over in the 52nd minute. Joe Simmonds converted both tries before Saracens scored a last minute penalty try.
EXETER CHIEFS STARTING XV vs SARACENS
15 Stuart Hogg
14 Jack Nowell
13 Ian Whitten
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Nic White
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Harry Williams
4 Dave Dennis (capt)
5 Jonny Hill
6 Dave Ewers
7 Jacques Vermeulen
8 Sam Simmonds
16 Elvis Taione
17 Ben Moon
18 Enrique Pieretto
19 Jannes Kirsten
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