Anglo-Welsh Cup Preview: Exeter v Newcastle

Exeter Chiefs have been buoyed by the news that Australian international Dave Dennis is fit and raring to go for the first time since September.

The former Waratahs star has been sidelined with a bicep injury for much of the campaign, but he returns to action against Newcastle in the Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final and will skipper Exeter for the first time.

Dennis helps provide a powerful spine to the Chiefs’ line-up and is joined in the pack by experienced stars Moray Low, Greg Holmes, Mitch Lees, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Julian Salvi and Matt Kvesic.

Behind the scrum, Stu Townsend and Joe Simmonds will head up the game plan at half-backs, while Ollie Devoto and Ian Whitten form a powerful midfield pairing outside of them. The back three is made up of Tom O’Flaherty, James Short and Argentinean international Santiago Cordero, who will line-up at full-back for the first time.

“It’s a strong squad,” skills coach Ricky Pellow said. “We are faced with an opportunity to reach a first final of the year and our selection will reflect that. What we will take into account is that there are some players who need game-time and we will add a few of the academy players in there as well.

“If players need game-time or are coming back from injury and need to force themselves into that Premiership squad, they’ll be involved. When you are winning and enjoying your rugby, you want to play, so some of the guys at the weekend will play.”

Pellow also hinted that strong displays this weekend and, hopefully next week, can also boost the selection hopes of players ahead of Exeter’s return to Premiership action against Bath on March 23.

He added: “We saw last season with Sam Simmonds, he banged in two solid games in this competition and then all of sudden he had a run of Premiership games, which led all the way to winning the league. Since then, he’s continued that run and this weekend he’s on the bench for England over in France.

“It’s a big opportunity for all the guys, not just to push for a place in the final and more honours, but for a number of other reasons as well. The buzz around the place this week has been good and I know we’re all massively excited about the game at the weekend.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle have made four changes to their side for Sunday’s visit to Exeter, with fly-half Toby Flood among the returning players.

Flood was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s Aviva Premiership victory at Gloucester due to illness but is fit to form a half-back pairing alongside Tongan international Sonatane Takulua, who replaces Michael Young.

Maxime Mermoz starts at outside centre in place of Chris Harris, while lock Will Witty replaces Calum Green in the only other change as the Falcons aim to reach their first cup final since 2011.

The winner of Sunday’s semi-final will meet either Northampton or Bath in the final in Gloucester on Sunday March 18.

Newcastle head into their semi-final in fine form with the team fourth in the Premiership table and boasting the best away record in the league.

Director of rugby Dean Richards said: “I watched the Exeter v Saracens game last Sunday and it was a different level of intensity to our own match at Gloucester, so we know we’ve got to step it up a gear against a very good side.

“The good thing is that our guys are beginning to show a really strong mental resolve, we’re winning most of the tight games and our record away from home is outstanding. We’ll need all of those qualities on Sunday and we can travel with a lot of confidence.

“Our defence is going pretty well, we’d like to score more tries but we’re working hard on that, and provided we get one more point than the opposition then that’s all I’m worried about.”

The teams:

Exeter: 15 Santiago Cordero, 14 Tom O’Flaherty, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 James Short, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Stu Townsend, 8 Matt Kvesic, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Dave Dennis (c), 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Mitch Lees, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Jack Innard, 1 Moray Low
Replacements: 16 Paul Davis 17 James Kenny 18 Jack Owlett 19 Toby Salmon 20 Kai Horstmann 21 Will Chudley 22 Sam Morley 23 Tom Hendrickson

Newcastle: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Maxime Mermoz, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Nili Latu, 7 Will Welch (c), 6 Ally Hogg, 5 Sean Robinson, 4 Will Witty, 3 Jon Welsh, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Sam Lockwood
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Rob Vickers, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Calum Green, 20 Ryan Burrows, 21 Michael Young, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Chris Harris

Date: Sunday, March 11
Venue: Sandy Park
Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Tom Foley (England), Robert Warburton (England)
TMO: Geoffrey Warren (England)