NO CHIEF RELIEF
Exeter stars out for Sale
EXETER will go fully loaded into the heavyweight Premiership clash at Sale tonight to try to close out a play-off spot in double-quick time.
The juggling act facing clubs as they manage squads over the rest of the concertinaed season became apparent yesterday when Wasps and Worcester both changed their entire starting line-ups for their meeting tonight.
With a ban on players starting the three games in the next week on welfare grounds, there will be more upheavals to come, but for the leaders – who face two of their title rivals within five days – wholesale changes can wait.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter has picked his strongest available Chiefs side. “We always knew this period would be interesting,” said Baxter, whose team face Bristol on Tuesday.
“I think across the Premiership we are all looking at it more as a three-game block. For us, two of those three games will be against two other sides in the top four.
“Because they are two of our closest rivals in the table, you want to try to create some space because that allows a little bit of pressure to come off yourself.” Wing Alex Cuthbert makes his first start since November after a shoulder injury while Sale shift Manu Tuilagi to inside centre.
Prop Kyle Sinckler starts his first game for Bristol at Gloucester, who have Jonny May on the wing after recovering from a head injury.
Wasps centre Ryan Mills faces Worcester after his lockdown switch between the clubs.