Big test for leaders Exeter as 3rd place Gloucester make the short trip to Sandy Park

Six more intriguing Gallagher Premiership games are on offer this weekend in Round 8 of the Premiership, with two especially mouth-watering games to savour.

On Saturday, a West Country derby which has the makings of being a classic will be played out in front of a packed house at Sandy Park when top of the table Exeter Chiefs host third placed Gloucester.

Before kick off, Gloucester started the day in their highest position in the Premiership for a while, having already picked up 23 points from their opening seven fixtures. Chiefs lead the table by virtue of points difference ahead of Saracens.

Exeter’s only loss so far this season in any competition was at Castres in Round 2 of the European Champions Cup. The hosts are also unbeaten in their last 12 matches at Sandy Park in all competitions, since Worcester beat them in the in Premiership Rugby back in February.

Gloucester, have won their last two Gallagher Premiership matches, but have not won three in a row in the Premiership for a year. The last nine meetings between these West Country rivals have been shared with four wins apiece and won drawn contest.

Exeter come into this weekends game on the back of a narrow 31-29 victory against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate last weekend, whilst Gloucester completed a home 36-13 victory over Leicester at Kingsholm.

In the first of three upcoming meetings between the sides- they also meet twice next month in the Heineken Champions Cup- Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter has named some changes in the pack with Dave Dennis and Dave Ewers named in the starting fifteen.

Gloucester have named five changes for the trip to Sandy Park, with Henry Walker making his first Gallagher Premiership start. Val Rapava Ruskin returns at loosehead, with Ben Morgan returning to the starting line-up. Henry Trinder is named in the back line, with Charlie Sharples coming in for Matt Banahan on the wing.

Team News

Exeter Chiefs

15. Phil Dollman, 14. Santiago Cordero, 13. Ian Whitten, 12. Ollie Devoto, 11. Alex Cuthbert, 10. Gareth Steenson, 9. Nic White; 1. Moray Low, 2. Jack Yeandle (capt), 3. Greg Holmes, 4. Mitch Lees, 5. Dave Dennis; 6. Dave Ewers, 7. Don Armand, 8. Matt Kvesic

Replacements

16. Elvis Taione, 17. Billy Keast, 18. Marcus Street; 19. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20. Tom Lawday; 21. Jack Maunder, 22. Joe Simmonds, 23. Sam Hill

Gloucester Rugby

15. Jason Woodward, 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Ollie Thorley, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Willi Heinz; 1. Val Rapava Ruskin, 2. Henry Walker, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Tom Savage; 5. Ed Slater (capt); 6. Freddie Clarke, 7. Gareth Evans, 8. Ben Morgan

Replacements

16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Kyle Traynor, 18. Josh Hohneck; 19. Gerbrandt Grobler, 20. Aaron Hinkley; 21. Callum Braley, 22. Owen Williams, 23. Tom Hudson

Match Officials

Referee: Matthew O’Grady (4th Premiership game).

Assistant Referees: Hamish Smales & Dean Richards.

TMO: Geoff Warren.

Citing Officer: James Hall.