Teams Up for Exe -Alfie at 8

[Rossm]

Lee Blackett has named his side to travel to Exeter in Gallagher Premiership Round 15 on Saturday.

There are two personnel changes and one positional switch from the team that beat Saracens last Sunday.

Alfie Barbeary returns from England’s Six Nations training camp to start at number eight. That sees Brad Shields shift to openside flanker, while Vaea Fifita keeps his place on the blindside.

Malakai Fekitoa starts at outside centre, having come off the bench in Sunday’s win, to make his long-awaited return from injury. He partners Jimmy Gopperth in the midfield.

Joe Launchbury once again leads the side at lock. He forms the second-row partnership with Elliott Stooke once more.

Tom West starts at loosehead prop, after he was a late replacement for the injured Rodrigo Martinez last weekend. Biyi Alo is at tighthead prop and Tom Cruse completes the front row at hooker.

The back three and half-backs are unchanged from Round 14. Marcus Watson is at full-back, while Paolo Odogwu and Josh Bassett are on the wings. Dan Robson forms the half-back partnership with Charlie Atkinson once more.

On the bench, James Gaskell is in line to make his 200th Premiership appearance. Last week’s try-scorer Sam Spink and Gabriel Oghre also lie in wait. Will Porter returns to the squad after illness. They are joined by Bomber Hislop, Elliot Millar-Mills, Ben Morris and Rob Miller as the other replacements.

Wasps team to face Exeter at Sandy Park on Saturday (kick-off 2:30pm)

Wasps (First-team appearances)

15 Marcus Watson (62)

14 Paolo Odogwu (26)

13 Malakai Fekitoa (39)

12 Jimmy Gopperth (142)

11 Josh Bassett (165)

10 Charlie Atkinson (22)

9 Dan Robson (144)

1 Tom West (62)

2 Tom Cruse (109)

3 Biyi Alo (28)

4 Joe Launchbury (161) (c)

5 Elliott Stooke (14)

6 Vaea Fifita (11)

7 Brad Shields (68)

8 Alfie Barbeary (21)

Replacements

16 Gabriel Oghre (56)

17 Robin Hislop (13)

18 Elliot Millar-Mills (7)

19 James Gaskell (146)

20 Ben Morris (48)

21 Will Porter (42)

22 Sam Spink (14)

23 Rob Miller (130)

Unavailable (9): Dan Frost, Francois Hougaard, Zach Kibirige, Rodrigo Martinez, Matteo Minozzi, Jacob Umaga, Jack Willis, Tom Willis, Thomas Young.

[HDAWG]

In terms of starting lineups if everyone was fit, I'd have Jack Willis at 7 and Shields at 6 with Fifita on the bench. Also Crossdale at fullback. To say it's a couple of changes from full strength is looking good for returning players etc.

Bench is my only concern. Not bad, just a noticeable drop off.

[Shugs]

That is very strong. Wonder what the issue with Carr is - not listed as unavailable?

[Heathen]

Cracking starting XV.

To play :

https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-side-to-face-wasps-7955

[NellyWellyWaspy]

That is very strong. Wonder what the issue with Carr is - not listed as unavailable?

Neither is Crossdale. Of course, travelling reserves are never listed?

[matelot22]

Like the look of that against what Chiefs are fielding. I'll be there, hope to see a win for only the second time at Sandy Park??

[Rossm]

Exeter Chiefs

15 Josh Hodge
14 Olly Woodburn
13 Tom Hendrickson
12 Harvey Skinner
11 Tom O’Flaherty
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Sam Maunder
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Jack Innard
3 Patrick Schickerling
4 Jannes Kirsten
5 Daffyd Jenkins
6 Dave Ewers
7 Richard Capstick
8 Santiago Grondona

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Ben Moon
18 Josh Iosefa-Scott
19 Lewis Pearson
20 Max Norey
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Sean O’Brien
23 Facundo Cordero

[WonkyWasp]

As the Green Button says .... 'I Like This'.

[hookender]

Two line ups ,back to back, almost identical? Happy with that.

[Rossm]

Current odds (sky Bet) Exe 4/6 on. Wasps 11/10 against.

[matelot22]

Just noticed, no mention of Ryan Mills (again.....)

[Rossm]

Just noticed, no mention of Ryan Mills (again.....)

Not actually listed as unavailable. If a centre doesn't start, then he probably won't be a sub. Rather have someone like Rob Miller, who can fill in at 10 or 15 and possibly elsewhere if needed. May of course be a travelling reserve.

[Covkid40]

Just noticed, no mention of Ryan Mills (again.....)

Before the Sarries game while we waiting for the teams to come out he was doing some quite intensive running drills behind the posts so don’t think it’s a fitness issue. Think it’s more that you just can’t drop Jimmy at the minute

[Laterontoday]

That is very strong. Wonder what the issue with Carr is - not listed as unavailable?

Suspect Nemo is being rested rather than being injured.  No off season remember came straight in from SA.

[DGP Wasp]

Unavailable list down to single digits!!!!!

Have to laugh at the comments from posters baffled that some players are neither listed as unavailable or in the 23.  Been so long since we had that luxury, that people have forgotten that when selecting from a fully fit squad, some players will inevitably miss out through non-selection!