Rob Baxter's surprise call in Exeter Chiefs' Challenge Cup team for Ulster

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has sprung a surprise after picking Max Norey at hooker as he changes his entire front row for Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Ulster at the Affidea Stadium.

Norey, who has only four starts this season, has come in three times in the PREM Rugby Cup and during a loan spell with Cornish Pirates in the Rugby Championship, gets the nod over Springbok international Joseph Dweba.

Baxter, who changed his front row at half-time in last weekend’s defeat at Gloucester, recalls Scott Sio at loosehead with Georgian powerhouse Bachuki Tchumbadze packing down at tighthead.

The international pairing of Dafydd Jenkins and Andrea Zambonin returns to the second row while Christ Tshiunza starts at openside flanker with Ethan Roots banned for three games and Greg Fisilau battling a knee injury.

Wallaby star Tom Hooper starts on the blindside with Ross Vintcent at No.8.

Fixture

Challenge Cup

Ulster

09:30

2 May 26

Exeter Chiefs

All Stats and Data

Paul Brown-Bampoe is ruled out, so Campbell Ridl partners Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wings, with Ben Hammersley starting at full-back for the first time since January.

Baxter admits that it’s brilliant to be involved in a Challenge Cup semi-final and is under no illusions about what his team will face in Belfast.

“It is gonna be a pretty big challenge. They obviously rested and rotated a lot last week to prepare for this game.

So we’re clearly expecting a full-blooded, tough game of rugby, which is what it should be.

“That’s why you qualify for these competitions and why you work hard to get to the semi-finals and finals. So that’s exactly how we’re expecting to be.

“I think you have two ways of looking at all these competitions. It can feel daunting and challenging, and it is tough and nice. But the reality is, it’s brilliant to be in a European semi-final.

“It’s brilliant to be in the top four in the PREM. They’re fantastic opportunities for us, and what I’ve got to do is keep guiding the guys that brings the best out of us. Not the worst out of us.

“I think it’s also very important in the development of this group of players. I actually look through the squad and go, how many of them are experienced, challenging for two front-line competitions at this stage, probably not too many.”

Exeter Chiefs: Ben Hammersley, Campbell Riddle, Henry Slade, Len Ikitau, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Harvey Skinner, Stephen Varney, Scott Sio, Max Norey, Bachuki Tchumbadze, Dafydd Jenkins (c), Andrea Zambonin, Tom Hooper, Christ Tshiunza, Ross Vintcent

Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Ethan Burger, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Rusi Tuima, Finn Worley Brady, Tom Cairns, Will Haydon-Wood, Nick Lilley