Team News: Chiefs Name Two More Debutants for Round Five of Prem Cup

Exeter Chiefs Name Debutants for Round Five of PREM Cup

Exeter Chiefs have announced their lineup for round five of the PREM Rugby Cup, featuring two more debutants as they prepare to face Bristol Bears at Sandy Park. The team is set to be led by Louie Gulley, who will take on the match captaincy just one week after his club debut.

New Blood and Familiar Faces

Two England U20s teammates, Campbell Ridl and Oscar Beckerleg, are poised for their debuts as they join Gulley in bringing fresh talent to the squad. These young players will be joined by Louie Gulley, who was recently promoted from the bench to start alongside Gulley.

Rob Baxter on Players’ Opportunities

Roger Baxter, Exeter Chiefs’ director of rugby, highlighted the team’s commitment to providing opportunities for young players. “We’re focused on giving players opportunities to play and that’s what we’re going to do again this weekend,” said Baxter. “We’ve got to make sure we utilise the squad, especially our home-grown players as often as we can, and continue to develop players as we go along.”

Baxter emphasized the importance of growing the team’s strength across all competitions: “We’ve got to grow ourselves again into a team that is strong in all three competitions. That doesn’t happen overnight; it takes a little pain, but that’s how you eventually get to where you want to be.”

Lineup and Strategy

The match will see several changes from the previous round. Bachuki Tchumbadze and Ethan Burger retain their places in the starting line-up, while Lewis Pearson and Rusi Tuima form a solid partnership in the second row. Richard Capstick moves to number eight to accommodate Joe Bailey on the flanks.

Scrum half Tom Cairns and Will Haydon-Wood pair up for the first time this season, with Will Rigg impressing by leading the carries against Sale Sharks.

Ollie Batson will start at inside centre alongside Ridl, while Paul Brown-Bampoe slots in as full-back.

Exeter Chiefs face Bristol Bears at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00. Tickets are still available and can be purchased through the club’s website. Highlights of the match will be available on YouTube post-game.

About the Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs continue to build their squad with a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers. The team is well-represented by debutants from EURFC, as well as university captain Finn Worley Brady, who will wear number 19.

The game against Bristol Bears marks an important fixture in the PREM Cup, where Exeter Chiefs are looking to secure another victory. Rotations mean that last weekend’s starters Charlie Chapman, Ben Coen, and Harry Ascherl are available as replacements.

Conclusion

Exeter Chiefs’ round five lineup is a testament to their commitment to nurturing young talent while maintaining a strong team presence. The match against Bristol Bears will be crucial for both teams, setting the stage for further competition in the PREM Cup.