Aviva Premiership: Gloucester v Exeter Chefs match preview
Last Updated: 18/09/14 12:55pm
England Under-20s international Henry Purdy will make his Gloucester debut in Friday's Aviva Premiership clash with Exeter Chiefs.
Purdy, who joined Gloucester from Leicester, was part of the England squad that won the IRB Junior World Championship in the summer.
And he now gets his chance to shine at Kingsholm at outside centre, having impressed for the club playing Sevens and in preseason.
Purdy’s inclusion is one of three changes made by David Humphreys following the 34-27 victory over the Sale, with Sila Puafisi and Tom Palmer both starting in place of John Afoa and James Hudson.
On the bench Elliott Stooke and Matt Kvesic both return to the match-day squad.
Stronger
Exeter have made two changes to their line-up for the short trip, with Ben Moon and Damian Welch added to the pack.
Moon will replace Carl Rimmer at loosehead, while Welch gets the nod ahead of Ryan Caldwell in the second row.
Coach Rob Baxter has made two further changes among the replacements, with Phil Dollman and Jack Nowell replacing Ceri Sweeney and Jack Arnott.
"We always knew we would become stronger the more we got into the season," said Baxter. "Thankfully, we've not picked up any other injuries and all of a sudden we're getting a number of guys back to full fitness."
Gloucester: 15 Rob Cook, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Henry Purdy, 12 Billy Twelvetrees (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 James Hook, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 1 Dan Murphy, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 Sila Puafisi, 4 Tom Savage, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Ross Moriarty, 8 Ben Morgan.
Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 John Afoa, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Matt Kvesic, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Mark Atkinson, 23 Bill Meakes
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Ian Whitten, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas, 1 Ben Moon, 2 Jack Yeandle (c), 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Mitch Lees, 5 Damian Welch, 6 Dave Ewers, 7 Ben White, 8 Thomas Waldrom.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Moray Low, 19 Ryan Caldwell, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Phil Dollman, 23 Jack Nowell