Gloucester Rugby travel to Exeter Chief’s Sandy Park on Sunday and will hope to get back on top form in the Gallagher Premiership after a heavy home 27-45 defeat to historic rivals Bath.
The Cherry and Whites currently sit 8th in the table on nine points, six behind The Chiefs.
George Skivington’s squad is slowly being improved however, with the likes of Louis Rees Zammit, Santiago Carreras, Matias Alemmano and Jonny May returning from international duty.
After having around one and a half months in France for the World Cup, they will be itching to get back to business for Gloucester.
However, the Gloucester boss needs to take into account experienced winger Jonny May’s recent two game ban for an ‘unsafe clearout’ in that derby game against Bath last weekend.
Skivington has made two changes to the XV that was beaten by Bath, Micky Young is given his first start since joining the side two weeks ago, replacing Stephen Varney at halfback.
A second change is forced as May is suspended, making space for Welsh international Rees-Zammit coming into the side on the wing.
For Exeter, coach Rob Baxter has decided to make five changes to the side that lost to Northampton last time out.
Scott Sio, Jack Yeandle and Ehren Painter come into the front row, Aidon Davies goes into the back row and Rusi Tuima comes into the lineup after a great home performance against Bristol Bears in the last fixture at Sandy Park.
Exeter are unbeaten at home having smashed Saracens 65-10 on the opening day, Sale Sharks 43-0 and Bristol Bears 29-20.
The Chiefs will surely be looking to continue this streak come Sunday, making Sandy Park a ‘fortress’ as such, giving away teams a fright when seeing that game on their fixture list.
