Exeter welcome back two stars but big names are still missing

Exeter Chiefs have been boosted by the returns of Olly Woodburn and Paul Brown-Bampoe in the back three for their meeting with Bath at Sandy Park on Sunday in the Gallagher PREM.

Woodburn has overcome a hamstring injury, while Brown-Bampoe has completed his return to play protocols to start at full-back and on the wing, respectively, in two of three changes to the team that lost in the Challenge Cup semi-final to Ulster last week.

It is a timely return for the duo, with the Chiefs without Immanuel Feyi-Waboso this week as he recovers from the head injury which cut his match against Ulster short and saw Jacob Stockdale yellow-carded.

The final change to the team will see Josh Iosefa-Scott start at tighthead prop in place of Bachuki Tchumbadze, who has dropped to the bench.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, arguably their star player this season, Greg Fisilau, remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Ethan Roots is still serving his ban.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Exeter Chiefs

07:30

10 May 26

Bath

All Stats and Data

“We’re almost in four knockout games from now until the end of the season,” director of rugby Rob Baxter said. “Collecting points is still everything, as the likes of Bristol Bears and Saracens are closing in on the top four.

“The bigger the game, the more you have to focus on winning it rather than not losing it. That’s how I’d like us to play out the end of the season. I want us to look like we’re prepared to win our way into the top four. Those are the important mindset things we’ll need to get right.”

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Campbell Ridl, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Max Norey, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 8 Ross Vintcent.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Finn Worley Brady, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Ben Hammersley.