Exeter cup bid boosted by return of Ross Vintcent after four months out

Italian international Ross Vintcent will play his first game in four months when he lines up at No.8 for Exeter in Sunday’s PREM Rugby final at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Welsh international Christ Tshiunza and Italian international Ross Vintcent have been named in the Exeter Chiefs side for Sunday’s PREM Rugby Cup final against Leicester Tigers.

Tshiunza has missed nearly all of the season with a long-standing foot injury, but like No.8 Vintcent has been back in full training this week ahead of the trip to Welford Road.

Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has rolled the dice and could give loan signing from the University of Exeter, tighthead Tom Gulley, his debut after bringing him in on loan to cover their injury-hit front row.

The older brother of Chiefs hooker Louie will start the game on the bench as Khwezi Mona is named to make his first start of the season, with Jimmy Roots added to a list of players who aren’t available.

Roots suffered a serious laceration to his ear in the semi-final win over Northampton Saints, which required extensive stitches.

Mona helps to form an all-South-African front row with Ethan Burger and hooker Joseph Dweba, who missed the win over Saints after being delayed returning from a break in South Africa.

“There is a little bit of a different feeling around a final week. We’ve felt that in training this week, watching the boys run around with a great deal of energy.

“They’ve got smiles on their faces at the right time but they’re also judging well when they have to lock in at the right time.

“The environment has felt quite vibrant, which is especially exciting for a number of the younger guys who have never been in games like this before.

“It’s going to be an interesting game, but hopefully it brings out the best in us at Leicester on Sunday. Leicester are a competitive team, they’re fourth in the Gallagher PREM and top seed in this competition.

“Without doubt, they’ve got a consistent group, which is something we’ve challenged ourselves to be this season. I was particularly impressed watching them last weekend against Bath.

“They moved the ball well, challenged Bath with the width of their early passes in attack, and that’s something that we’ll have to be ready for.

“That kind of movement they’re getting into the game to create challenges defensively looks very good. Traditionally, Leicester have always had a strong set-piece, and that looks to be the case again.

“So, I think they’re piecing a lot of their game together really well, and they’re going to be a challenge across the rest of the season, not just in this final,” said Baxter.

Exeter Chiefs:
15 Josh Hodge
14 Paul Brown-Bampoe
13 Ollie Batson
12 Will Rigg
11 Campbell Ridl
10 Will Haydon-Wood
9 Tom Cairns
1 Ethan Burger
2 Joseph Dweba
3 Khwezi Mona
4 Lewis Pearson (c)
5 Rusi Tuima
6 Martin Moloney
7 Finn Worley Brady
8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements:
16 Julian Heaven
17 Will Goodrick-Clarke
18 Tom Gulley
19 Joe Bailey
20 Christ Tshiunza
21 Charlie Chapman
22 Ben Coen
23 Dan John