Preview: Exeter v Bath

Editor

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday's Premiership clash with Bath at Sandy Park.

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday's Premiership clash with Bath at Sandy Park.

Baxter has brought in Hoani Tui into the front-row in place of Alex Brown; whilst a new-look back-row is made up of Tom Johnson, Ben White and Dave Ewers.

Johnson starts having been released for duty by England earlier this week, whilst fellow flanker White is also back having recovered from a bang to the head. Ewers switches from the blindside to number eight, meaning Kai Horstmann is relegated to the bench.

Exeter are keen to return to the victory trail after suffering a late 17-16 defeat to table-toppers, Northampton Saints last weekend.

Saints centre George Pisi's converted score two minutes from time left the Sandy Park faithful – including Baxter himself – licking their wounds as they came within a whisker of claiming a prized scalp.

Meanwhile, Bath's international contingent all return to the starting line-up for this encounter.

Paul James and Dave Attwood both return to the pack, along with David Wilson, who makes his comeback from injury to start on the tighthead. Ross Batty takes the number two spot between James and Wilson.

Attwood partners club captain Stuart Hooper in the second row, and the back row remains unchanged after last weekend's win over Newcastle – Matt Garvey and Francois Louw on the flanks, and Leroy Houston at number eight.

George Ford is joined by Micky Young in the half-backs, as Kyle Eastmond and Ollie Devoto continue their midfield partnership.

Matt Banahan and Horacio Agulla start out wide on the wings, with Anthony Watson selected at full-back.

The teams:

Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Matt Jess, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Phil Dollman, 11 Tom James, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Dave Ewers, 7 Ben White, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Dean Mumm (capt), 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Ben Moon.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Alex Brown, 19 Don Armand, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Haydn Thomas, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Fetu'u Vainikolo.

Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Ollie Devoto, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 George Ford, 9 Micky Young, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Matt Garvey, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 3 David Wilson, 2 Ross Batty, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Eusebio Guinazu, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Alafoti Fa'osiliva, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Gavin Henson, 23 Nick Abendanon.

Date: Saturday, February 15
Kick-off: 15:15 GMT
Venue: Sandy Park
Referee: Andrew Small
Assistant referees: Roger Baileff, Gareth Copsey
Television match official: Keith Lewis