Len Ikitau the headline as Exeter Chiefs name team for Gloucester

Wallabies international Len Ikitau returns to the Exeter Chiefs starting line-up for the trip to face Gloucester at Kingsholm on Sunday afternoon after missing the last four months with a shoulder injury.

Ikitau has been out of action since getting injured against Saracens before Christmas and replaces Will Rigg, who scored his fourth try of the season in last weekend’s last-gasp 35-28 defeat at the hands of Northampton Saints.

Chiefs boss Rob Baxter changes his entire front row with Will Goodrick-Clarke replacing Scott Sio at loosehead, Joseph Dweba starting at hooker in place of the injured Jack Yeandle, and Josh Iosefa-Scott is recalled at the expense of Jimmy Roots at tighthead.

Baxter has decided to rest both of his international locks, Dafydd Jenkins and Andrea Zambonin, with Rusi Tuima and Lewis Pearson set to start the game, with Christ Tshiunza coming on to the bench.

While Campbell Ridl drops back to play full-back, Olly Woodburn is suffering from a minor hamstring problem, and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Paul Brown-Bampoe are starting on the wings.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Gloucester

34 - 31

Full-time

Exeter Chiefs

All Stats and Data

The Chiefs, who were defeated 29-15 at Kingsholm in the PREM Cup in September and on a revenge mission after they were humiliated 79-17 by the Cherry and Whites last season, Baxter is expecting the hosts to be very motivated.

“I’m expecting Gloucester to be very good, very motivated. We’re very aware we’ve got to turn up fully ready for a tough game of PREM rugby.

You don’t have to be much off your game to lose, so we’ve got to make sure we’re fully strapped in and prepared for an important game.”

“We should be ready to go out there this week, fresh and ready to fight. I’m fully expecting a Gloucester team that comes out roaring at Kingsholm.

“They’ve started well in all their recent games, been very competitive in big chunks of the game against good sides. We’ve got to be sure we’re prepared to work very hard for 80 minutes.”

Exeter Chiefs: Campbell Ridl, Paul Brown-Bampoe, Henry Slade (c), Len Ikitau, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Harvey Skinner, Stephen Varney, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Joseph Dweba, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Rusi Tuima, Lewis Pearson, Ethan Roots, Ross Vintcent, Greg Fisilau

Replacements: Max Norey, Ethan Burger, Jimmy Roots, Christ Tshiunza, Tom Hooper, Finn Worley-Brady, Tom Cairns, Ben Hammersley