Rob Baxter demands 'the same level of commitment' as veteran is welcomed back

Buoyed by their battling 43-40 Champions Cup defeat to Toulouse, Exeter Chiefs return to the bread and butter of the PREM with boss Rob Baxter demanding the same level of commitment from his side.

Chiefs welcome back Nika Abuladze and Olly Woodburn for the Saturday tea-time trip to Bristol, and Baxter is hoping they can get back to winning ways.

“We showed a lot of good character in last weekend’s game, but now we’ve got to move on and show at least the same level of commitment in the Prem,” Baxter said.

“This will be a completely new challenge as it’s not going to be warm and dry, it’s going to be windy and wet. It’ll be interesting to see how we come through the challenge in a tough away game against one of the league’s top four sides.”

Having last featured together against Glasgow Warriors in January 2024, there is a front row reunion for Abuladze with hooker Jack Yeandle and tighthead prop Josh Iosefa-Scott.

Tom Hooper remains in the boiler room for a second week as he scrummages with match captain Dafydd Jenkins, who was this week recalled to Steve Tandy’s Wales squad for the autumn installation of the Nations Championship.

Flanker Ethan Roots and Ross Vintcent pack down with No.8 Greg Fisilau in an unchanged back row.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

20

26

First try wins

100%

Home team wins

60%

Chiefs make a change at scrum-half for the first time in the PREM this season, as former Bristol Bear Sam Wolstenholme comes into the starting line-up alongside fly-half Harvey Skinner. After an 80-minute performance against Toulouse last Sunday, Stephen Varney will look to make an impact from the bench.

One week on from scoring his first Chiefs try, Will Butt remains at inside centre with Henry Slade running the outside channel.

An injury concern for Tommy Wyatt promotes Ben Hammersley into the starting XV on the left wing. Zack Wimbush starts on the right wing with Woodburn returning from an ankle injury to occupy the full-back berth.

Exeter team vs Bristol:
15 Olly Woodburn
14 Zack Wimbush
13 Henry Slade
12 Will Butt
11 Ben Hammersley
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Sam Wolstenholme

1 Nika Abuladze
2 Jack Yeandle
3 Josh Iosefa-Scott
4 Tom Hooper
5 Dafydd Jenkins (c)
6 Ethan Roots
7 Ross Vintcent
8 Greg Fisilau

Replacements:
16 Max Norey
17 Ethan Burger
18 Jimmy Roots
19 Harry Wilson
20 Kane James
21 Stephen Varney
22 Will Haydon-Wood
23 Sam Harris