Exeter v Harlequins - Aviva Premiership match preview

Karl Dickson: Recalled at scrum-half by Quins

Gareth Steenson: Wears the No 10 jersey for Gloucester

Exeter boss Rob Baxter has made a number of changes for the visit of reigning champion Harlequins today.

Chris Whitehead, Tom Hayes and James Scaysbrook have all been rested with Simon Alcott, Dean Mumm and Ben White deputising in the pack.

Behind the scrum Gareth Steenson takes over in the number 10 jersey from Ignacio Mieres and Phil Dollman is given the nod ahead of Sireli Naqelevuki in the midfield.

On the bench, Neil Clark appears for the first time this season, whilst Academy product Dave Ewers has also been called up following some notable performances for the Braves.

Quins have made two changes to their starting line-up following last week's loss to Saracens with Karl Dickson starting at scrum-half ahead of Danny Care.

In the forwards, Mark Lambert makes his first start of the season, at loose head, with Joe Marler covering from the bench.

Exeter: 15 L Arscott, 14 I Whitten, 13 P Dollman, 12 J Shoemark, 11 M Jess, 10 G Steenson, 9 H Thomas, 8 R Baxter (c), 7 B White, 6 T Johnson, 5 J Hanks, 4 D Mumm, 3 C Rimmer, 2 S Alcott, 1 B Sturgess. Replacements: 16 N Clark, 17 B Moon, 18 C Budgen, 19 A Muldowney, 20 D Ewers, 21 W Chudley, 22 I Mieres, 23 S Naqelevuki.

Harlequins: 15 M Brown, 14 S Stegmann, 13 M Hopper, 12 J Turner-Hall, 11 U Monye, 10 N Evans, 9 K Dickson, 8 N Easter, 7 C Robshaw (c) 6 T Guest, 5 G Robson, 4 O Kohn, 3 J Johnston, 2 J Gray, 1 M Lambert. Replacements: 16 R Buchanan, 17 J Marler, 18 W Collier, 19 C Matthews, 20 M Fa'asavalu, 21 D Care, 22 R Clegg, 23 O Lindsay-Hague.

What they said...

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter

"We know they are a very good side, who have developed a swagger about themselves and who are confident.

"They're confident in the way they play and they've developed all areas of their game. They are certainly exciting across the board and they play high tempo rugby, which is backed up with a good set-piece, so that is what makes them dangerous.

"To compete against them you have to be on top of your game right across the pitch, and that means defensively you've got to be very sound and switched-on."