Chiefs look for repeat of last week’s first half blitz
EXETER are hell-bent on underlining their European credentials by blitzing Leinster from the off, according to fit again loosehead Alec Hepburn.
Rob Baxter’s Chiefs produced one of Premiership rugby’s most complete performances against Bath last week, bagging a trybonus before half-time.
Now they aim to storm Europe, with Hepburn telling The Rugby Paper: “We’ve spoken about getting out of the gate early and taking the game to them. Similar to Bath, we want to try and get the crowd involved and not just work our way into the game.”
Back-to-back wins over the Irish giants, who Exeter trail by two points in their Pool, would go a long way to securing a quarter-final place.
Hepburn added: “These next two weeks are pivotal as far as our Pool is concerned and it’s exciting to play a team like Leinster at Sandy Park.
“They’re three-time European champions and they’ll be very well organised under Leo Cullen, but these are games you want to be part of.
“You want to pitch yourselves against the best to see where you really stand and this will decide where our Champions Cup campaign goes.”
Henry Slade returns to Exeter’s No.13 jersey fresh from England duty, while Jonny Hill is recalled at lock.
However, Baxter sticks mainly to the side that pummelled Bath, meaning Sam Simmonds and talisman Jack Nowell stay on the bench.
Hepburn starts again and is looking to re-establish himself as an England prospect after seeing last season wrecked by thumb and knee injuries.
A superb 2015-16 campaign saw Hepburn push for Test honours and another opportunity may open following Ellis Genge’s shoulder injury.
“I really don’t think about England but I had been riding some momentum before my injuries put a bit of a break on things,” said Hepburn, 24.
“After a year on the sidelines it’s just great to be back and at the moment I’m just trying to stay in the Exeter team, which is challenging enough itself. I’m trying to re-establish myself and it’s important to not think too far ahead.”
With Exeter’s injuries clearing and a virtually full squad to choose from, Hepburn added: “Training is so competitive and having everyone fit allows us to push the intensity. It’s bringing out our best and hopefully that’ll be reflected today.”
Robbie Henshaw has recovered from a hamstring injury to take his place at centre alongside Garry Ringrose for Leinster, for whom Lions big guns Johnny Sexton, Tadgh Furlong and Sean O’Brien will look to impose a hard-nosed style on Exeter’s confident entertainers.
Leinster No.8 Jack Conan said: “Exeter play with a lot of substance and style. They love to drag teams around, punch holes and then go wide, so we’ll need to counter that.”