Exeter v Saracens: Teams
Saracens welcome back Schalk Brits to their starting line-up for Saturday's Aviva Premiership trip to Exeter Chiefs.
Last Updated: 30/09/11 4:59pm
Saracens have Schalk Brits back in the fold for Saturday's Aviva Premiership trip to Exeter Chiefs.
Hooker Brits, who missed last weekend's 50-25 victory over Leicester after taking a heavy knock a week earlier, is one of only two changes to the starting line-up that so comprehensively defeated the Tigers.
The other tweak sees James Short handed a start on the wing, that switch means hooker Jamie George and wing Joe Maddock drop down to the replacement's bench.
Chiefs forced into changes
Exeter coach Rob Baxter has been forced to tinker somewhat with the team that saw off Wasps last time out.
A broken leg to summer signing Peter Short means that fellow newcomer Aly Muldowney is poised to make his first-ever start in the Premiership.
Baxter admits the loss of Short is a blow, but insists the chance is now there for Muldowney and others to make their mark.
"The good thing is it's not a complicated injury and (Short) will come back in fine form for the second half of the season when we will expect a lot out of him," said the Exeter supremo.
Baxter is also looking to see how his siude responds to a different kind of expectation this term, adding: "Last year we were saying all the time we have worked hard to be here; every fixture is big and we are going to enjoy it.
"In truth, though, the pressure wasn't on us massively and I remember thinking what does it feel like when we are in these clashes towards the top of the table and there is a little bit of pressure on you? Now we're in that kind of situation, isn't that a nice position to be in?
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Nic Sestaret, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Tom Hayes (c), 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements: 16 Neil Clark, 17 Ben Moon, 18 John Andress, 19 James Phillips, 20 Ben White, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Bryan Rennie.
Saracens:15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Owen Farrell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Jackson Wray, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 George Kruis, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Adam Powell, 23 Joe Maddock.