Exeter Chiefs suffer massive double injury blow as team named for Sarries

Exeter Chiefs have suffered a massive double injury blow ahead of their top-four showdown when Saracens visit Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon, with England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso needing an operation on a facial injury.

Feyi-Waboso suffered the blow in the win at Leicester Tigers last weekend, and after checks by the Chiefs’ medical team and investigative scans, a decision to operate was made after talks with the England medics.

He will be replaced by Paul Brown-Bampoe, who was dropped down to the bench for the visit to Leicestershire, while Greg Fisilau also suffered a facial injury last Sunday afternoon and misses out.

Fisilau’s absence has forced a reshuffle in the back row, which sees Tom Hooper on the blindside flank, with openside manned by Christ Tshiunza, who comes into the side, and Ethan Roots slotting back into the No. 8 spot.

Chiefs boss Rob Baxter names an unchanged front five, with loosehead Scott Sio, who is joining Cardiff next season, set to play his final game at Sandy Park, as will Len Ikitau and Sale Sharks-bound Tshiunza.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Exeter Chiefs

07:15

6 Jun 26

Saracens

All Stats and Data

Kane James, who was recently named in Steve Tandy’s wider Wales squad, returns to action on the bench for the first time since suffering an ankle injury against Cardiff Rugby in January.

“I think now your emotional energy takes over more than your physical energy. I’ve seen it happen before, that you look around and see everyone is on their toes, moving quickly, and everyone is ready to go.

“So then, what you start doing as a coaching group is almost hold the lads back a little at the start of the week to make sure they don’t drain their batteries too soon.

“Saracens are turning up, scoring points, winning games. We’re not far off that form, I don’t think. They’re doing whatever they have to do to win, and that’s often the mark of a very good side. I think this will be a great test for us.

“I think the lads are looking forward to it. All I’ve asked of the lads is not to play nervously. They can play with any other emotion they like, just not nerves. That’s the bit we’ve got to get right on Saturday.”

“I look at our team, and we’ve got a couple of players that were involved in the losing and winning of finals, but… outside of those players, that team isn’t on the field anymore.

“The team that is there now is one that’s got to build its own reputation, build its own history and have its own successes and failures. All of that is going to be based not on Saracens, but on what we can do as a team,” said Baxter.

Exeter Chiefs: Olly Woodburn, Paul Brown-Bampoe, Henry Slade, Len Ikitau, Campbell Ridl, Harvey Skinner, Stephen Varney, Scott Sio, Max Norey, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Dafydd Jenkins (c), Andrea Zambonin, Tom Hooper, Christ Tshiunza, Ethan Roots.

Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Ethan Burger, Bachuki Tchumbadze, Rusi Tuima, Kane James, Tom Cairns, Zack Wimbush, Ben Hammersley.