Exeter Chiefs hand debuts to 2 new signings for Bristol Bears clash

Exeter Chiefs are giving Julian Heaven and Ethan Burger debuts off the bench for the West Country derby against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.

Chiefs boss Rob Baxter only makes one change to his starting line-up from the side that beat Newcastle Red Bulls last weekend, with long-serving hooker Jack Yeandle coming into the front row.

Yeandle replaces Joseph Dweba, who drops out of the 23-man squad, with a new signing from the NSW Waratahs, Julian Heaven, coming onto the bench for his first game since moving from Australia.

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South African prop Ethan Burger gets his first chance after Kwenzo Blose has ruptured an Achilles tendon and will have an operation, which will keep him on the sidelines until the end of the season.

The Chiefs have resisted the opportunity to give Wallaby star Len Ikitau his debut after just one training session following his arrival in the country on Wednesday.

He will make his debut against Harlequins next weekend, along with Tom Hooper, who isn’t arriving in Devon until Sunday, but will add depth to a Chiefs side that have drawn at Northampton Saints and beaten the Red Bulls.

Baxter believes his side, despite their unbeaten start to the season, have been patchy, and there is still plenty of room for improvement.

“We want to be creating opportunities for the players to show the best versions of themselves. I think we’re doing that pretty well, but things are still patchy.

“We’re two games into the Prem season, and we’ve probably only had three good halves, so there’s work to be done. Whenever you play Bristol, you’ve got to expect them to attack, to score tries and play with tempo.
“Keeping the ball moving has become somewhat their trademark. They’ll look to outscore you, so we have to be very focused on being alert,” he said.

Exeter Chiefs: John; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Hammersley, Brown-Bampoe; Skinner, Varney; Goodrick-Clarke, Yeandle, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins (capt), Zambonin, Roots, Fisilau, Vintcent.

Replacements: Heaven, Burger, Tchumbadze, Tuima, Pearson, James, Chapman, Lilley