Back to the Prem
TTTE
By Moorsman
February 6 2018
After what seems like an age Premiership rugby reurns to Sandy Park this weekend with the visit of Worcester Warriors
Chiefs v Warriors
After what seems like an age Premiership rugby reurns to Sandy Park this weekend with the visit of Worcester Warriors.
The Chiefs last ten regular season Premiership Rugby games at Sandy Park have all ended with maximum points and Chiefs have won all eleven previous matches they have played against them in Premiership Rugby. So, on the face of it this would seem to be a nailed on Chiefs win with a bonus point? However as Rob Baxter often says past glories count for nothing and he'll be working hard to avoid any complacency. Chiefs will be without 5 frontline forwards for the game as Luke Cowan-Dickie has been called up to the England squad. He joins fellow forwards Harry Williams, Alec Hepburn, Sam Simmonds (England) and Thomas Francis (Wales) and Jack Nowell the Chiefs solitary representative in an International back line.
With both Jack Yeandle and Elvis Taioni injured the Chiefs could well have done with LCDs' services but I think I speak for many a Chiefs supporter in thinking he should have been in the initial squad anyway. This means it's likely that Sean Molton will get the number 2 shirt with Jack Innard on the bench, flanked by the experienced pair Greg Holmes and Moray Low. We're fortunate to have Thomas The Tank available to start at 8 in Sam simmonds absence with Don Armond (how has he not been selected by England?) and Dave Ewers to complete the back row. With just Nowellsy away in the backs Chiefs have plenty to chose from even though Henry Slade and James Short aren't available due to injury. I imagine we'll see Nick White and Steeno as half backs with Dolly at full back. I'm not sure if Sam Hill will be back but pretty certain that Ian Whitten will fill one of the Centre spots. I think we could see some fireworks on the wings with Olly Woodburn and new signing Santiago Cordero (although he may just get a bench spot).
Whatever Chiefs side Rob Baxter selects will be a little different from the usual but they'll be setting out to keep that great home record going.
Come On You Chiefs...Chiefs...Chiefs...
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15 Phil Dollman
14 Lachie Turner
13 Ian Whitten
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Nic White
1 Ben Moon
2 Shaun Malton
3 Greg Holmes
4 Mitch Lees
5 Jonny Hill
6 Dave Ewers
7 Don Armand
8 Thomas Waldrom
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Moray Low
18 Marcus Street
19 Toby Salmon
20 Matt Kvesic
21 Will Chudley
22 Joe Simmonds
23 Santiago Cordero
Whitten
Hill
Devoto
Woodburn
Steenson
White
Moon
LCD
Holmes
Lees
Hill
Ewers
Kvesic
Armand
Malton
Low
Street
Salmon
Waldrom
Chudley
Simmonds
Cordero
Taking it that Skinner is still out
Will be a very inexperienced front row bench - assume we will recall Marcus Street to cover Tight head, and have Jack Innard covering Hooker, with Moray Low showing his versatility to cover Loosehead and or Tighthead depending on need and time in the game.
Great opportunity for the youngsters though.
I thought Skinner was due to be fit for this one, so wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench.
IF Chudley is off, I wonder if we will see more of Townsend or Maunder for the remainder of the season.