Exeter Chiefs look to keep their play-off hopes alive as they welcome Gloucester to Sandy Park

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Exeter will be hoping to keep their slimming play-off hopes intact against in-form Cherry and Whites.

The Chiefs have lost their last two matches, suffering defeats to London Irish and Wasps. As such, Rob Baxter’s side have slowly slid down to seventh in the league table.

For this game, however, they are able to name experienced duo Don Armand and Ian Whitten back in their starting fifteen, replacing youngsters Lewis Pearson and Harvey Skinner.

Gloucester, meanwhile, have been the form side in the league in recent weeks, losing only once in their last seven fixtures.

For this trip South, the Cherry & Whites are without Chris Harris, Louis Rees-Zammit, and Steve Varney due to the Six Nations commitments. Furthermore, three changes have been made to the side that beat London Irish 24-7 last time out, as Jamal Ford-Robinson, Jordy Reid, and Ben Meehan come in for Val Rapava-Ruskin, Jack Clement, and Charlie Chapman.

Scotland outcast Adam Hastings has to settle for a place on the bench again behind the in-form Lloyd Evans, whilst Prop Fraser Balmain will bring up his 100^th appearance for the club at Sandy Park.

The Chiefs came out on top when these two sides last met, winning a tight game by 16-13 at Kingsholm. In addition, recent fixtures have tended to go the way of the Devon club, with them winning four of the last five meetings. However, Gloucester have only lost once away this season, that being their opener against Northampton. Since then, they’ve won five and drawn one of their fixtures on the road.

The Cherry & Whites sit third in the table with 10 games to go, two points off 2nd place Saracens and nine points off top team Leicester.

Meanwhile, it’s a story of sevens for Exeter. League position, wins, and losses all come under the very number. It does also represent a rather disappointing return for last year’s grand finalists.

Gloucester are looking to make only their second play-off appearance in the last decade, rectifying a poor run for a club with such proud history. As such, they will be hoping a rare win at Sandy Park can keep up their form as they target to close the gap on leaders Leicester

If Gloucester are indeed to reach Twickenham this season, victory in this game would be paramount in increasing their chances of finishing in the top two and claiming a home semi-final.

Exeter on the other hand will target sneaking into the top four after an uncharacteristically inconsistent season, and beating a side currently occupying such a spot will go a long way to helping their cause.

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