Exeter v Worcester - Aviva Premiership preview

Sireli Naqelevuki: Returns to the Exeter starting XI

Richard Hill: Five changes ahead of Exeter clash

Worcester coach Richard Hill has made five changes for his side's Aviva Premiership clash with the Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

In the front row, hooker Ed Shervington and prop Ceri Jones are both handed their first starts of the league campaign.

Elsewhere in the pack, Dean Schofield returns to captain the team in the second row while Chris Jones is rewarded for his impressive display off the bench against Sale last time out with a starting berth at the back of the scrum.

There is one change in the back division where dynamic wing Josh Drauniniu makes a welcome return to action. Drauniniu will face his former club alongside centre Josh Matavesi who also makes a first appearance.

Matt Mullan is named among the replacements after spending time in the England training camp this week.

Exeter came up short against Bath last week and are looking to arrest a slide that has seen them lose their last three matches in all competitions.

In team news, outside centre Sireli Naqelevuki returns to the Chiefs line-up in place of the injured Jason Shoemark in one of four changes to the team that lost to Bath.

The three further changes are all in the pack with Chris Whitehead replacing Simon Alcott at hooker while Aly Muldowney joins skipper Tom Hayes in the second row. With Tom Johnson on international duty, Dean Mumm switches to the flank.

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Phil Dollman, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas,8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 3 Carl Rimmer, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Brett Sturgess.

Replacements: 16 Neil Clark,17 Ben Moon, 18 Chris Budgen, 19 James Hanks, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Ignacio Mieres, 23 Ian Whitten.

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Josh Drauniniu, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 David Lemi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Jones, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Sam Betty, 5 Dean Schofield (c), 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Ed Shervington, 1 Ceri Jones.

Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 James Currie, 19 Craig Gillies, 20 Semisi Taulava, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Ravai Fatiaki.

What they said...

Worcester head coach Richard Hill

"It's a fantastic opportunity for us to climb the table at Exeter. They're one point ahead of us in the league but it will be a very tough match. I'm a big admirer of what they have achieved and the club."

Exeter assistant coach Ali Hepher

"All week we've emphasised to the guys that they need to turn up in the right frame of mind to get anything out of the game. As always we've tweaked parts of our game based on the opposition, but the main aim will be for us to continue making Sandy Park a tough place to come and play and making sure our mental approach is right coming into the game."

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