Jack Nowell returns for Exeter clash with Wasps
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Following their loss in the Champions Cup to Leinster, Exeter return to action as they host Wasps.
The home side’s cause will be boosted by the news that England and British Lions winger Jack Nowell is primed and ready to go. The Cornishman has not featured since the Chiefs defeated Wasps in last season, undergoing surgery on a toe injury, before picking up a hamstring tear just days before his scheduled return.
Since then, Nowell has been working hard with the club’s medical team to get fully-fit and Baxter is delighted to have the talented back available for the weekend featuring via the bench.
“We’ve held him back a little longer than Jack would have liked, but we’ve got plenty of load into hum and now he’s very much at the level he was when he was fully fit last season,” explained Baxter. “We’ve declared him fit for this weekend and now it’s an opportunity fr him to show some form." Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said.
Other changes in personnel from last week see Alec Hepburn and Harry Williams return to the front-row, where they will prop up hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who is set to make his 100th Premiership appearance.
Behind them, Sam Skinner comes into the second-row for Jonny Gray, while the sole change to the Exeter back division comes on the winger where Facundo Cordero starts ahead of Olly Woodburn.
For Wasps, there are three changes to the starting line-up from the Champions Cup tie with ASM Clermont-Auvergne last time out. In the pack, Tom West returns at loosehead prop and Ben Morris replaces James Gaskell, who is out with a calf injury, at blindside flanker.
The only alteration in the backline sees Matteo Minozzi out with an eye injury and Rob Miller come in at full back. Dan Robson will make his 100th Premiership appearance for Wasps on Saturday.
There is also a welcome return for Alfie Barbeary, who is named amongst the replacements. He is joined on the bench by the returning Levi Douglas and Lima Sopoaga.
Jack Nowell is back! 🙌
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 16, 2021
He features via the bench for @ExeterChiefs' clash with @WaspsRugby 🔶🐝#GallagherPrem #EXEvWAS
