EXPECTATIONS high as Chiefs kick off new rugby season
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- Last Updated on Saturday, 01 September 2018 11:30
- Published on Saturday, 01 September 2018 04:19
Rob Baxter’s Exeter Chiefs welcome Leicester Tigers to Sandy Park tomorrow in round one of this season’s Premiership (1630ko).It’s the 2017 champions’ ninth season in English rugby’s top flight and expectations levels are high.
Other than the arrival of Wales and British Lions winger Alex Cuthbert and the elevation of the club’s highly-rated academy rookies, it’s a settled Chiefs squad that kick offs the new campaign.
Club captain Jack Yeandle heads up a beefy pack that includes international stars such as Alec Hepburn, Tomas Francis, Don Armand, Sam Simmonds and Matt Kvesic, the latter of whom has really impressed during pre-season.
Behind, Nic White and Gareth Steenson provide an experienced half-back axis, while Ian Whitten is joined in the centre by fit-again Ollie Devoto.
On the bench, there is a first-ever inclusion in a Premiership squad for Sean Lonsdale.
Chiefs start the new season without Cuthbert, Jack Nowell and Mitch Lees, who have undergone summer surgery.
Starting 15 Phil Dollman 14 Santiago Cordero 13 Ian Whitten 12 Ollie Devoto 11 Olly Woodburn 10 Gareth Steenson 9 Nic White 1 Alec Hepburn 2 Jack Yeandle (capt) 3 Tomas Francis 4 Ollie Atkins 5 Sam Skinner 6 Don Armand 7 Matt Kvesic 8 Sam Simmonds
Ready on the bench 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie 17 Greg Holmes 18 Harry Williams 19 Toby Salmon 20 Sean Lonsdale 21 Stu Townsend 22 Joe Simmonds 23 Henry Slade
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