Winner takes all clash for semi-final advantage

Exeter Chiefs take on Sale Sharks in winner takes all meeting at Sandy Park.

Bristol Bears have already taken the first home semi-final tie, and now it is up to Chiefs and Sharks to battle it out for the remaining place in the last round of the regular Gallagher Premiership season.

As it stands, with Exeter currently second in the table, they will be at home for a sixth successive season in the semi-finals.

However, Sharks sit five points behind in third, so it is still possible they can still leapfrog their way to a home semi-final.

Final outcomes based on results:

• A point is all Exeter need to confirm a Sandy Park semi-final.

• If Sharks are to prevent this, they must win with a bonus point and prevent Chiefs from gaining a point- this would mean their semi-final is played at the AJ Bell.

• In this outcome- despite the teams finishing level on points- Sale would finish second as they would have more wins.

• If Exeter were to win, and Bristol were to lose, the Chiefs would finish top of the table and therefore host Harlequins in the semi-final with Sale travelling to Bristol.

Team News:

Rob Baxter has made four changes to the starting line-up that saw off Northampton Saints 29-26, in tense fashion last time out.

The important news for Exeter supporters is that Sam Simmonds is fit and starts. The British and Irish Lions forward hobbled off with an ankle injury against Saints, but as confirmed in the week, it was only as a precaution.

Ollie Devoto, who came off the bench to score Chiefs’ crucial bonus point try at Franklins Gardens, is named as a starter. The centre replaces Ian Whitten.

Alex Sanderson has also named four changes to his Sale Sharks side, as Manu Tuilagi looks set to start his first game in eight-months.

Tom Curry also returns to the back row as he starts in place of his brother, Ben. The flanker, who was named England Men’s Player of the Year during the week, will lead Sharks out as captain.

Two in-form teams collide:

Saturday’s fixture at Sandy Park sees the two most in-form Premiership sides- over the last 10 games – meet in the most important game of the regular season.

In those 10 games, both sides have only lost once with Exeter picking up 43 points from a possible 50, and Sharks accumulating 41.

In terms of games won, the sides can’t be separated- they have both won 16 from 21. However, the reason for the separation of points in the table comes down to the number of bonus points picked up.

Sale arrive confident they can complete a first league double over Exeter. In the reverse fixture, Sale took advantage of Jack Yeandle’s first half red card, and after being level at the break, ended up winning 25-20.

However, recent trips to Sandy Park have often ended in disappointment for Sale who have only managed one win in their last seven away matches- they have only won twice in 10 attempts.

In their eight Devon defeats, Sale have conceded 30+ points in seven.

However, Sharks are a changed side – a side that next week will play in their first play-off semi-final in 16-seasons.

Sanderson and his coaching team have transformed Sale this season, and they will take on Exeter with the hope of spoiling a sixth successive semi-final match at Sandy Park.

Two strong squads will go head-to-head tomorrow, but only one will be able to walk away with the all important prize: a semi-final in their own stadium.

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