Exeter

[kpj tiger]

15 Telusa Veainu
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Matt Smith
12 Seremaia Bai
11 Vereniki Goneva
10 Owen Williams
9 Ben Youngs
1 Fraser Balmain
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Dan Cole
4 Dom Barrow
5 Sebastian de Chaves
6 Tom Croft
7 Lachlan McCaffrey
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Harry Thacker
17 Riccardo Brugnara
18 Tiziano Pasquali
19 Mike Fitzgerald
20 Laurence Pearce
21 Jono Kitto
22 Peter Betham
23 Mathew Tait

looks like we are more interested in Stade then

[JackFlashJonny]

15 Telusa Veainu
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Matt Smith
12 Seremaia Bai
11 Vereniki Goneva
10 Owen Williams
9 Ben Youngs
1 Fraser Balmain
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Dan Cole
4 Dom Barrow
5 Sebastian de Chaves
6 Tom Croft
7 Lachlan McCaffrey
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Harry Thacker
17 Riccardo Brugnara
18 Tiziano Pasquali
19 Mike Fitzgerald
20 Laurence Pearce
21 Jono Kitto
22 Peter Betham
23 Mathew Tait

looks like we are more interested in Stade then

however will be an interesting side to watch..Veainu at 15 is interesting I hope its not a wet game

[Iain]

Hardly weak though is it!

That's still a VERY strong side. That back three looks very exciting.

Tait barely ever gets a rest and is barely ever injured (who would have thought we'd say that a few years ago!!) so is probably due a rest. This will have to happen during the course of this season to a number of players.

Good to see Ben fit!

[Maidman]

Curious that Tom rather than Ben is captain?

[Hiron]

Curious that Tom rather than Ben is captain?

I think we need to ease Ben back in before we start asking him to make captaining decisions.

[LE18]

Definite rotation of players, it's like if we win we win, if we lose ok let's save others for next week. It's going to be tough to win down there!

[PAW]

Good looking side

Reading between the lines, not necessarily accurately;

No Logo, Bell or Kitch. Hopefully one more week will see them in contention as we assume all would have been in the 23 if available?

Sam limped off last week, but maybe just a well earned rest?

Both known to be fit fly halves on the field. Presumably confident that either Bell will be fit next week if either injured or maybe even Umaga could be Ok to step up.

I suspect we intend to go and win, but given the long haul ahead of us, we have taken a no risk approach to selection

Absolutely no evidence or inside information supports these theories

[ourla]

I reckon Logo is crocked. He's a big lad and knee problems are dodgy.

Can't see Kitch being thrown straight in to a European game so concerned to see him not feature.

Bell and Harrison aren't an an issue IMO - I am sure they will be fit for next week if needed.

For this match I think that backline has plenty of potential. Goneva and Smith looked in fine form. Veainu could offer something interesting at full back and we can stick Tait on in the second half. First choice 9/10.

Starting forwards look solid enough to me and it will be good to get a full look at Barrow. Bench has some good options.

[ourla]

Chiefs:

15 Phil Dollman
14 Jack Nowell
13 Henry Slade
12 Ian Whitten
11 James Short
10 Gareth Steenson (capt)
9 Will Chudley

1 Ben Moon
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Tomas Franci
4 Mitch Lees
5 Damian Welch
6 Dave Ewers
7 Julian Salvi
8 Don Armand

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Alec Hepburn
18 Moray Low
19 Ollie Atkins
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 Dave Lewis
22 Sam Hill
23 Matt Jess

[L Smith]

tough one to call.

[Surreytiger]

Possibly the most boring centre partnership Tigers could possibly field.

[Timmers]

Like the look of this team.

Would like to see Pearce and thacker given at least 20mins in the second half (score dependant). we could use their energy in this fixture

Would also like to see tait on for smith at 13 for 20mins in 2nd half. I still think this is his best position...he was loose under the high ball last week which fortunately didnt impact the score, and he doesnt get enough ball in hand at full back with our tactics.

Why isnt catchpole in the squad?!

[TigerCam]

tough one to call.

Looking forward to this one, the back row battle will be interesting. Interesting to see how Mauger has planned this one out? Steal a win maybe? An LBP is a must to stay in contention in such a condensed season.

[ourla]

Possibly the most boring centre partnership Tigers could possibly field.

Smith was on fire last week and Bai can be pretty explosive so I respectfully disagree. Certainly not lacking for experience and nouse.

[mike]

A decent game in defence , but 'on fire' ?