Sharks now Jack’s chief concern
WING Jack Nowell goes straight from helping England to retain the Six Nations title into an Exeter side aiming to take the opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and Saracens.
The Chiefs, beaten 12-16 by Leicester in last Sunday’s Anglo-Welsh final at the Stoop, know that a bonus-point win over Sale at Sandy Park today would keep them ahead of third-placed Saracens and maintain their pursuit of a home tie in the play-offs.
The Sharks have named Tom Curry, fresh from the England Under-20s’ Grand Slam campaign, to start at flanker.
“We know Sale will be physical, they will be competitive and that they will have been preparing for us for the last two or three weeks,” said Exeter assistant coach Ali Hepher. “They will want to come after us, so we have to make sure we combat that and go back at them with even more.
“We have to focus on ourselves and put ourselves in a good frame of mind to perform in what is a hugely important fixture.”
Sarries will have to wait to have their say until tomorrow, when Bath visit Allianz Park. Full-back Alex Goode returns after recovering from an ankle injury suffered in early January to partner Scotland Six Nations wing Sean Maitland and Chris Ashton in the Sarries back three.
Francois Louw will co-captain Bath on his 100th appearance for the club. Leaders Wasps are expected to consolidate their top spot by defeating struggling Worcester at the Ricoh Arena.