Exeter Chiefs vs RCT Toulon: Match Preview

Exeter Chiefs team news headlines

• Rob Baxter has made six changes to his starting line-up for Chiefs’ Round One trip to Stade Felix Mayol to face RC Toulon on Saturday, December 9.
• The Chiefs Director of Rugby makes four changes in his pack as an entirely different front row is named to start – Scott Sio at loosehead, Ehren Painter at tighthead with Dan Frost in the middle of the two at hooker.
• Having been on the bench against Bath last weekend, Rusi Tuima rotates into the side to partner captain Dafydd Jenkins in the second row. The back row remains untouched with Jacques Vermeulen and Ethan Roots on the flanks and Greg Fisilau at eight.
• The two changes in the backline come as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns to the matchday squad and Tom Cairns starts at scrum half with Stu Townsend moving to the bench.
• Harvey Skinner at fly half, centre partners Joe Hawkins and Henry Slade and winger Ben Hammersley and full back Tom Wyatt then complete the Chiefs’ backline.
• On the bench Max Norey is accompanied by Nika Abuladze and Marcus Street to provide cover to the front row. Lewis Pearson covers the second row with Ross Vintcent returning to the matchday side to cover the back row. Stu Townsend, Rory O’Loughlin and Olly Woodburn then round out the bench for the backs.
• Chiefs could have a number of Investec Champions Cup debuts on Saturday as Hammersley, Feyi-Waboso, Norey and Vintcent are all yet to have graced the elite European stage.

Toulon team news

Toulon: 15. Melvyn Jaminet, 14. Gaël Drean, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Mathieu Smaili, 11. Gabin Villiere, 10. Enzo Herve, 9. Ben White, 1. Bruce Devaux, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Beka Gigashvili, 4. Matthias Halagahu, 5. Brian Alainu'uese, 6. Esteban Abadie, 7. Charles Ollivon, 8. Facundo Isa,

Replacements: 16. Christopher Tolofua,17. Dany Priso,18. Emerick Setiano,19. David Ribbans,20. Cornell du Preez,21. Baptiste Serin,22. Leicester Fainga'anuku,23. Maelan Rabut,