Sunday's Premiership team news
Sunday 21 February 2016 10:40, UK
All the team news for Sunday's Aviva Premiership action as the Exeter Chiefs visit London Irish and Newcastle take on Saints.
London Irish v Exeter Chiefs (3pm)
Although undone at Sale a week ago, Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has stuck with an unchanged starting side for the clash, with his only changes coming on the bench.
International duo Tomas Francis and Michele Campagnaro are included at the expense of Harry Williams and Max Bodilly, with Campagnaro taking the Six Nations by storm with his performances for Italy.
Exeter forwards coach Rob Hunter has called for a better performance from his side in comparison with the 38-11 win his side enjoyed in round two.
"The focus this week has been very much about ourselves and making sure we perform to our own high standards," said Hunter. "The fact it's London Irish merely adds a bit of spice because that, I felt, was one of our worse performances last year.
"We were very lacklustre up there and when we had the chance to win it, we didn't and that's burnt a bit with us for quite a while."
Meanwhile London Irish have made four changes to their side for the clash.
Theo Brophy Clews replaces Shane Geraghty at fly-half, while prop Tom Smallbone, lock Elliott Stooke and blindside flanker Ofisa Treviranus all get the nod in the pack.
The Exiles welcome the Chiefs on the back of three successive victories at the Madejski, and assistant coach Richard Whiffin is keen for his side to make it four in a row this weekend.
"The last three times we have played at the Madejski we have had positive results alongside positive performances so there is no reason why we can't continue this run," said Whiffin.
London Irish: 15 Andrew Fenby, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Fergus Mulchrone, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ciaran Hearn, 10 Theo Brophy Clews, 9 Scott Steele, 1 Tom Smallbone, 2 David Paice, 3 Halani Aulika, 4 Matt Symons, 5 Elliott Stooke, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Luke Narraway (c), 8 Rob McCusker.
Replacements: 16 Gerard Ellis, 17 Tom Court, 18 Leo Halavatau, 19 Ian Nagle, 20 Joe Trayfoot, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Christian Lewis-Pratt.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sam Hill, 11 James Short, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Will Chudley, 1 Ben Moon, 2 Jack Yeandle (c), 3 Moray Low, 4 Jonny Hill, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Don Armand, 7 Julian Salvi, 8 Thomas Waldrom.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Will Hooley, 23 Michele Campagnaro.
Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints (3pm)
Newcastle Falcons have named a starting side with just one change as they prepare to face Northampton Saints this weekend.
Mark Wilson moves from the second row into the back-row, and his lock vacancy is filled by England international Mouritz Botha.
Making his first start since the Falcons' European victory over Brive, Botha will partner Sean Robinson in the engine room as the Falcons aim to further their run of form. Newcastle have won two of their last three encounters, seeing off title contenders Harlequins as well as Leicester, while they lost to Wasps by a single point at the Ricoh Arena.
Meanwhile Saints have opted not to make any changes to the side that beat London Irish 35-7 last time out.
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Michael Young, 1 Rob Vickers, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Taione Vea, 4 Mouritz Botha, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (c), 8 Ally Hogg.
Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 19 Josh Furno, 20 Nili Latu, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Craig Willis, 23 Juan Socino.
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Jamie Elliott, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Harry Mallinder, 11 James Wilson, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson (c), 1 Alex Waller, 2 Mikey Haywood, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 James Craig, 5 Christian Day, 6 Jamie Gibson, 7 Tom Wood, 8 Sam Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Reece Marshall, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Victor Matfield, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 George Pisi.
