Western Morning News (Saturday)
Returning stars boost for Chiefs
Backrower Vermeulen and Scottish contingent among those included as push for play-off spot continues
SOUTH African powerhouse backrower Jacques Vermeulen (pictured) has recovered from a double hamstring injury to lead a host of stars returning to action for Exeter Chiefs.
Flanker Vermeulen starts at openside flanker this weekend in his first appearance of the season as Chiefs take on Sale Sharks at Sandy Park tomorrow (KO 3pm).
Vermeulen, who has had two operations on his hamstring in the last nine months, is joined in the matchday squad by England international tighthead prop Harry Williams, who returns from surgery on his elbow, and lock Will Witty who scored in the corresponding fixture at the AJ Bell Stadium back in October.
Witty has been absent since November with an ankle injury.
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “It’s been a while for a few of them, especially Jacques after his double injury.
“That said, he looks great in training; he’s chomping at the bit to get out there, as is Harry Williams.”
The return to full fitness of 19-cap England international Williams in part explains Baxter’s willingness to let fellow tighthead Sam Nixon leave on loan to Bristol Bears for the rest of the season, as confirmed yesterday.
Baxter continued: “Stu Townsend is another week out in training and Will Witty is back also, so we’re starting to see the squad thicken out a little bit, particularly around the back five of the scrum.”
Scrum-half Townsend has been out since October having had surgery on his shoulder.
This weekend, Chiefs are also bolstered by the return of Scottish internationals Stuart Hogg and Sam Skinner with the Six Nations in its final break week.
Exeter Chiefs: 15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Olly Woodburn, 13. Ian Whitten, 12. Tom Hendrickson, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. Joe Simmonds, 9. Sam Maunder, 1. Alec Hepburn, 2. Jack Yeandle (C), 3. Marcus Street, 4. Jannes Kirsten, 5. Sam Skinner, 6. Dave Ewers, 7. Jacques Vermeulen, 8. Richard Capstick Replacements: 16. Jack Innard, 17. James Kenny,
18. Harry Williams, 19. Will Witty, 20. Santiago Grondona,
21. Jack Maunder, 22. Harvey Skinner, 23. Facundo Cordero.