Exeter v Bath: Teams
Exeter boss Rob Baxter has named an unchanged starting XV for his side's clash with West Country rivals Bath on Saturday.
Last Updated: 25/02/11 2:54pm
Exeter boss Rob Baxter has named an unchanged starting XV for his side's clash with West Country rivals Bath on Saturday.
The Chiefs will be going for a third straight Aviva Premiership win and Baxter has unsurprisingly decided against tinkering with his line-up.
There are changes among the replacements, however, as Simon Alcott returns ahead of Chris Whitehead and Argentine fly-half Ignacio Mieres comes in for former Bath player Ryan Davis.
Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo, fresh from a hat-trick of tries in his side's A League victory over Wasps, is also included in the squad for the first time instead of Phil Dollman.
A sell-out crowd is expected at Sandy Park, where Baxter expects a partisan atmosphere for the local derby.
"I think our last two results have certainly contributed to the game being a sell-out," he said.
"Also I think people now think they can come to Sandy Park and watch a good, competitive game of rugby.
Derby
"Add into the mix we're playing Bath in a local derby; they're a big club and still a big draw, so I think it will be a fantastic occasion and a cracking local derby."
Bath will be without the services of Matt Banahan, who played in the 38-8 win over Northampton last weekend, after he was selected to be in the England squad.
Jack Cuthbert starts on the wing in his place, while Ben Williams replaces Matt Carraro at outside centre.
The visitors have won seven out of eight in all competitions and Exeter-born lock Stuart Hooper is relishing the first ever Premiership match between the two sides.
He said: "Exeter away will be good, everyone is pumped and eager to go down to Sandy Park and put on a performance.
"It is obviously going to be an historic occasion with Bath playing Exeter in the Premiership for the first time ever so it is going to be massive.
"They have a very strong kicking-fly half, so discipline will be key for us, and they are a team that work very hard for each other."
Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Matt Jess, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Sireli Naqelevuki, 11 Nic Sestaret, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 James Hanks, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 3 Chris Budgen, 2 Neil Clark, 1 Brett Sturgess
Replacements: 16 Simon Alcott, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Ignacio Elosu, 19 Chad Slade, 20 James Phillips, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 Ignacio Mieres, 23 Nemani Nadolo
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Jack Cuthbert, 13 Ben Williams, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Luke Watson (capt), 6 Ben Skirving, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 David Barnes, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Mark McMillan, 22 Sam Vesty, 23 Nick Scott