Exeter Chiefs get Wallaby bruiser back for Newcastle Red Bulls clash

Wallabies back-rower Tom Hooper returns to the Exeter Chiefs side in search of their first win of the season as Newcastle Red Bulls visit Sandy Park on Sunday afternoon.

Hooper, a key performer for the Chiefs in their run to last season’s Gallagher PREM Final, flew back from international duty earlier in the week and will take his place on the bench.

The Chiefs make only one change to their pack, with Wales international Kane James moving to the bench to make way for Italy international Ross Vintcent at openside flanker.

The only other change comes at full-back, with Sam Harris coming in after Olly Woodburn suffered an ankle knock in the defeat at Bath last weekend.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter says that he was happy with a two-point return from the trip to the Rec and is aware of the threat a much-changed Newcastle will pose.

“Watching Newcastle’s game against Leicester [Tigers], they’re clearly a very dangerous side. They’ve got some real strength and quality individuals in there, while they’re still learning a little how to come together as a team.

“We’ve got to just decide to be very good. I thought we were much improved against Bath in a lot of areas. We’ve got to look for the same improvement again this week and look to move forward now after a long training week.

“Two points at Bath was a decent return. In most seasons, but especially the most recent few, that’s a good return from going to The Rec. Only collecting one point the week before in a home game makes things a little more challenging, but if we can get a win and have seven or eight points from three weeks in, then things start to look back on track.”

Exeter Chiefs: Sam Harris, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Will Butt, Tommy Wyatt, Harvey Skinner, Stephen Varney, Ethan Burger, Jack Yeandle, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Harry Wilson, Dafydd Jenkins (c), Ethan Roots, Ross Vintcent, Greg Fisilau

Replacements:
Louie Gulley, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Bachuki Tchumbadze, Tom Hooper, Kane James, Sam Wolstenholme, Will Haydon-Wood, Zack Wimbush

Newcastle Red Bulls: Harrison Obatoyinbo, Christian Wade, Alex Hearle, Sammy Arnold, Werner Kok, Zack Henry, Simón Benítez Cruz, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Zuriel Togiatama, Elliot Millar Mills, Oscar Usher, Cam Jordan, Max Hicks, Tom Christie (c), Hoskins Sotutu.

Replacements: Samson Adejimi, Adam Brocklebank, James Harper, Franco Molina, Ollie Leatherbarrow, Sam Graham, James Elliott, Brett Connon.