Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints: Aviva Premiership preview
Last Updated: 12/04/15 3:32pm
Exeter Chiefs are boosted by the return of Jack Nowell for Sunday’s clash with Aviva Premiership leaders Northampton Saints at Sandy Park.
The England international missed last weekend’s European Challenge Cup win over Newcastle Falcons due to injury, and he is named at outside centre as the Chiefs seek a league double over the Saints for the first time.
Exeter head coach Rob Baxter also welcomes back Phil Dollman, who starts at full-back, while academy youngster Sam Skinner is named in a top flight match-day squad for the first time.
Northampton crashed to a comprehensive defeat at Clermont Auvergne last weekend and Jim Mallinder makes three changes to his starting line-up.
Kahn Fotuali’i comes in for Lee Dickson at scrum-half, while Gareth Denman and Christian Day replace Salesi Ma’afu and Courtney Lawes respectively in the pack.
Northampton Saints: 15 James Wilson, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Jamie Elliott, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i; 1 Alex Corbisiero, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 3 Gareth Denman, 4 Samu Manoa, 5 Christian Day, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Calum Clark, 8 Sam Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Jon Fisher, 20 Phil Dowson, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 Tom Stephenson, 23 Ahsee Tuala.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Ian Whitten, 13 Jack Nowell, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Henry Slade, 9 Will Chudley; 1 Ben Moon, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Dean Mumm (c), 5 Mitch Lees, 6 Dave Ewers, 7 Ben White, 8 Thomas Waldrom.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Alex Brown, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Tom James.