Exeter v Wasps: Teams

Aviva Premiership newcomers Exeter Chiefs have made changes but still hope to make a good start as they make their LV= Cup debut against Wasps on Saturday.

The match represents a chance for both sides to take a breather from Premiership action, but neither side will be taking the Sandy Park clash lightly.

And, just like the Chiefs did in the inaugural Amlin Challenge Cup fixture against Montpellier last month, Rob Baxter is using Saturday's fixture as the ideal opportunity to again rotate his squad.

Into the starting line-up come international stars Peter Kimlin, Garrick Cowley, Ignacio Mieres and Sireli Naqelevuki, whilst there is a first inclusion in the 23 for Jason Shoemark, who only joined the Premiership newcomers this week

A powerful line-up is also bolstered with the likes of Chris Whitehead, Ignacio Elosu and Andy Miller, all of whom are making their season bows.

Opportunities

"There are opportunities for us and the players across the board," said Chiefs assistant coach Ali Hepher. "It's exciting to be involved in a new competition. It's a different format, which might take a bit of getting used to, but the fixtures are great.

"Having Wasps and Leicester down here and going away to Cardiff next Friday will be fantastic games to be involved in. We start afresh, we haven't got anything on the board and there's no history with this competition. If we can get a good start in the competition, a good win, we can hopefully build on that."

With a number of new faces set to be given their big chance, Hepher admits he is relishing seeing how a number of them perform on the big stage.

Meanwhile, Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks has made six changes to the side that secured a 17-8 victory over Leeds on the road.

Only two changes are made to the back-line as Nic Berry starts at scrum-half in place of Joe Simpson, named on the bench, and 18-year-old Elliot Daly comes in for Dominic Waldouck, who also features amongst the replacements.

Youngster

Daly, a Whitgift School pupil and Academy member with England U16, U18 and U20 honours to his name, featured as an unused replacement in last weekend's fixture and will become the second youngest Wasps player to start a competitive fixture at 18 years and 29 days.

Jack Wallace, who retains his place at full-back to make his fourth start, holds the title as the youngest Wasps player making his debut at 18 years and 24 days against Gloucester in the LV=Cup last season.

Academy player Joe Burton completes Wasps replacements - his first inclusion in a match 23, with Hanks excited about the fixture.

"We are looking forward to our first trip to Exeter and the first round of the LV=Cup," he said.

"Like everyone, we have admired Exeter's start to the season and Rob Baxter has done a fantastic job considering the short preparation time he had. Exeter are a team to be reckoned with and we are treating this game with the respect it deserves."

Exeter: 15 Josh Matavesi, 14 Paul McKenzie, 13 Nic Sestaret, 12 Sireli Naqelevuki, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Garrick Cowley (capt), 8 Dave Ewers, 7 Andy Miller, 6 Chad Slade, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Dave Gannon, 3 Ignacio Elosu, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Ben Moon.
Replacements: 16 Jon Vickers, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 Chris Bentley, 20 Herbie Stupple, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 Jason Shoemark, 23 Drew Locke.

Wasps: 15 Jack Wallace, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Steve Kefu, 11 David Lemi, 10 Mark Van Gisbergen, 9 Nic Berry, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Serge Betsen, 6 Will Matthews, 5 James Cannon, 4 Marty Veale, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Rob Webber (capt), 1 Zak Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Tim Payne, 18 Jason Hobson, 19 Joe Burton, 20 Tom Rees, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Seb Jewell, 23 Dominic Waldouck.