Exeter Chiefs name side to face Saracens

Chiefs make just one change for their top-of-the table clash with unbeaten Premiership leaders

The two best teams in English rugby go head to head tomorrow afternoon in the Gallagher Premiership. 

Table-topping Saracens arrive in Devon not only looking to preserve their current two-point lead at the summit, but a 22-game unbeaten run that stretches back to their quarter-final defeat against Leinster in April.

For some time, the two clubs have been the stand-out sides in English rugby’s top tier. Often with little to choose between either of them, this latest match-up is sure to deliver another ‘Christmas Cracker’.

Chiefs coach Ali Hepher, speaking to Exeter Chiefs TV, says: “Saturday will be 100 per cent from both sides. Both of us will be going full bore at it. It will be very physical and very tactical, but it’s something we are all excited about. For us, it will be a good marker to see where we are at in terms of our performance levels, our general work ethic and how we react in those big-game moments.”

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE SARACENS

15 Joe Simmonds 14 Santiago Cordero 13 Ian Whitten 12 Sam Hill 11 Tom O’Flaherty 10 Gareth Steenson 9 Jack Maunder 1 Alec Hepburn 2 Jack Yeandle (capt) 3 Tomas Francis 4 Dave Dennis 5 Sam Skinner 6 Sean Lonsdale 7 Don Armand 8 Matt Kvesic

16 Luke Cowan-Dickie 17 Ben Moon 18 Harry Williams 19 Mitch Lees 20 Tom Lawday 21 Nic White 22 Ollie Devoto 23 Phil Dollman