Exeter Chiefs vs Newcastle Falcons

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Exeter Chiefs

15 Josh Hodge
14 Jack Nowell
13 Ian Whitten
12 Solomone Kata
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Sam Maunder
8 Sam Simmonds
7 Jacques Vermeulen
6 Dave Ewers
5 Jack Dunne
4 Jannes Kirsten
3 Marcus Street
2 Dan Frost
1 Scott Sio


16 Jack Yeandle
17 Danny Southworth
18 Patrick Schickerling
19 Mike Williams
20 Aidon Davis
21 Jack Maunder
22 Joe Simmonds
23 Rory O’Loughlin

Newcastle Falcons

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo,
14 Adam Radwan,
13 Matias Moroni,
12 Matias Orlando,
11 Mateo Carreras,
10 Brett Connon,
9 Michael Young (captain);
1 Adam Brocklebank,
2 Jamie Blamire,
3 Richard Palframan,
4 Pedro Rubiolo,
5 Sebastian de Chaves,
6 Freddie Lockwood,
7 Callum Chick,
8 Carl Fearns.

Replacements:

16 Ollie Fletcher,
17 Logovi’i Mulipola,
18 Mark Tampin,
19 Matthew Dalton,
20 Tom Marshall,
21 Sam Stuart,
22 Pete Lucock,
23 Iwan Stephens

Match Officials

Referee: Tom Foley
Assistant Referees: Jonathan Healyand Gareth Holsgrove.
TMO: Rowan Kitt.
Citing Officer: Chris Catling

Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday

Light rain showers and a moderate breeze from the southeast south east
Temperature 6 degrees but will feel like 2
Precipitation expected

Television Coverage

Not on BT but available on PRTV

Exeter Chiefs lost 5-40 to Harlequins in the Big Game at Twickenham on Saturday and have not been defeated in successive Gallagher Premiership Rugby fixtures since November. Exeter have lost just once in any competition at Sandy Park since the end of March 2022: 20-22 to Saracens in Round 7 of Premiership Rugby.
Newcastle Falcons have slipped to three successive Gallagher Premiership Rugby defeats since beating Leicester 45-26 at Kingston Park on 7 January. The Falcons have won just once on the road in Premiership Rugby since last April: 27-21 at Gloucester in Round 10.
Newcastle beat Exeter 24-21 in Round 11 and have never before achieved a Premiership Rugby season’s double over the Devonians. Newcastle won 15-14 on their most recent visit to Sandy Parkin November 2021

Chiefs 30 Newcastle 20.

Big performance needed after last week and I think the team will respond well.

Chiefs 38 Falcons 20

Trying to be positive, I'm going for a narrow win this week Chiefs 24 Falcons 17.

I am disappointed to see the backs have not been changed at all, which just increases my frustration with our selection and says that the coaches learnt nothing at all from last week.

Chiefs 38-21 falcons

Hopefully the coaches have done some proper prep for this game...as RB says it was down to their lack of prep that led to that shambles last week BUT given that Whitts and Kata are still the centre pairing...I'm a bit filled with dread for when Falcons spin the ball wide for Carreras and/ or Radwan to waltz in, them having watched how Quin's sooo easily got in behind us and scored at will.
Fingers crossed the 'Home win stat' still holds.

I too am frustrated with the Centre partnership. Would have liked to see Nowell at 13 and start young Feyi-Waboso on the wing.
Going for a home win but worried about their wingers.
Chiefs 31-24

We should sneak it but I agree with BA. Innard is not playing or in 23 so perhaps rested for cup game final. No change in 9,10 or 13; same blinkered selection. It is going to be poor conditions for running rugby so maybe a lot of kicking which makes selection odder. Chiefs 27 Newcastle 24

Chiefs 41 Falcons 28

With our 5 internationals away and more injuries, probably near to best we could put out. Not sure how our half backs are retained this week in the line up particularly when Jack and Joe have had nearly zero game time for months, can’t be anything like match fit. No more yellow cards PLEASE !!
Chiefs 34 Falcons 18 anything less than 5 points is a disaster for our play off chances.

Im slightly disappointed not to see Devo on the teamsheet.

He was excellent for 40' against the matelots.

That is a strong side Newcastle are sending down. Nervous about this one.

Chiefs 26 Falcons 24

Chiefs 32 Newcastle 25

Similarly worried so - Exeter 31-30 Newcastle

Chiefs 30 Falcons 15

Think we will nick this one chiefs 27-Falcons19

Feel it’s a must win here, Chiefs 32 - 25 Falcons

Apart from Hodge our back line look slow.

Chiefs 29 Newcastle 20

I read an article today in which RB was talking about the need to perform on the pitch to get fans back into SP, I can’t believe the coaches think that the back line for this game is going to encourage more fans to attend? If Newcastle can get quick ball off their 9/10 they will have field day against us. Far more pace in their team, I’m really disappointed not to see one or two of the premiership cup team being given a chance, Whitten is a chiefs legend but surely it’s a golden opportunity to give some experience to a younger player in readiness for next season. Mind you it seems the two teams have a very different playing style, so maybe that’s the reason

My heart agrees with so many of the above comments and predictions BUT being totally selfish in my quest to climb into the top 3 of the prediction league, head says Chiefs 25 Falcons 27!!!!!!
Just hoping my half empty cup and head is wrong.
Half backs and centres inspire no confidence. Falcons back line, wow!
My hope is in fwd dominance

Chiefs to win 34-17

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Chiefs 30 25 Falcons

Home advantage key, so Chiefs 33 Falcons 18

Chiefs 28 - Falcons 21

Exe36-28 Falcons

I still don't see where our tries are coming from but they may surprise us. Their away form is as bad as ours so I'll give the boys the benefit of the doubt - Chiefs 21 Falcons 18

I fear the lack of ambition in our back line selection may hurt us. Think this will be much closer that it should be….. chiefs 22 falcons 20

Optimistic although confused by the backs selections. As PTC said earlier it's difficult to reconcile Rob's comments with the team selection.
Mrs PC Ex 31 Falcons 24
PCX Ex 28 Falcons 24

Can't believe the bookies have us winning by 11-ish!.

Not that I'm superstitious, but I'm always nervous when we're unanimously predicting a win, so glad Rowancroft has gone the other direction.

I don't really believe it, but I'll go:

Chiefs 24 - 18 Falcons

Chiefs 31 Falcons 17 because we have to get a bonus point.

A win with a bonus point. Not much more to be said.
58 Points: Ouch that hurts;
57 Points: Mike the Shirt;
55 Points: Scottish Chief;
54 Points: Dumnoniinomad;
53 Points: Bold Eagle
49 Points: Rowancroft73; Cornwall Chief; Andy15.1;
48 Points: ExTedd Chief;
47 Points: Alain le Chief;
46 Points: Hankey; Lowerwatha; Osmium;
45 Points: Chief Firewater; Plympton Chief;
42 Points:
41 Points: Not Manichean; Keithbar54;
40 Points: Currychef;
39 Points: Mrs PC;
38 Points: Stokecanon; Lapo;
37 Points: Ex58; Cully Chief;
35 Point: Big Chief Little Chief;
34 Points: Fisher;
31 Points: Ljs399;
22 Points: Broken Arrow;
21 Points: Moosechief; Seaside Chief;
20 Points: Exeterfan;
But it’s the CUP FINAL next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!