Saracens ready to lock horns with Chiefs at Sandy Park

There will be a significant rumble at Sandy Park on Saturday as Saracens come knocking on the door of the Exeter Chiefs. 

As things stand, Chiefs are looking strong as they occupy third place on the standings. Saracens, however, are leading the pack, holding onto the top spot, albeit by a single point (25) with Sale breathing down their necks. The Chiefs find themselves 6 points behind the log-leaders. 

In the previous round, Saracens stuck one on rivals Bath while Chiefs, who were scheduled to tussle with Wasps, had their fixture called off. 

Saracens head to Exeter looking to maintain their perfect start to the campaign, however they travel to a ground where the Chiefs have already beaten two of the top four from last season which underlines the size of the challenge ahead on Saturday afternoon. 

Director of Rugby Mark McCall has made four changes to the starting line-up after the narrow win over Bath last Saturday. There is a big boost in the pack as Mako Vunipola returns from suspension, whilst Christian Judge, Earl and Nick Tompkins are also back in the XV. 

Vunipola joins Kapeli Pifeleti and Judge in the front-row, with Maro Itoje and Hugh Tizard maintaining their second-row partnership.  

Theo McFarland will be blindside flanker, with Earl at openside and Billy Vunipola as ever at the base of the scrum.  

Ivan van Zyl and captain Owen Farrell are once again half-backs, and Tompkins slots back in to a familiar midfield next to Alex Lozowski.  

Alex Lewington, who scored his 50th Premiership try last week stays on the left wing, with Max Malins on the right after his England re-call this week. Elliot Daly moves back to full-back where his early season form has been sensational.  

On the bench there could be a significant achievement, as when Alex Goode is called upon he will equal Kris Chesney’s all-time appearance record for the club which stands at 338.  

Earl says there is huge excitement in the group ahead of the trip to Sandy Park.  

“Exeter away is always one of the toughest games of the season but it’s one we can’t wait for. 

We were disappointed with our performance last weekend but we’re excited to get out there on Saturday against top quality opposition.” 

This from Chiefs’ Director of Rugby Rob Baxter: 

“This is a game we all look forward to. It’s obviously got a bit of history around it, what with us facing each other in Premiership finals and the salary cap stuff, but it’s still a big game for both clubs. As a league, these are the fixtures you want to see. You want every game to be a big occasion and attractive for not just the people to watch, but also the TV broadcasters and the sponsors as well. 

“Any time you come up against Saracens, you know it’s going to be a challenge. Over the years we’ve had some great battles with them, particularly here at Sandy Park, and I’ve no doubt this weekend will be much the same. For us to win, though, you know you have to be on your game and get a lot of what I would call the ‘bread and butter’ around your game spot on. 

“Everyone knows Saracens are probably the team most renowned for creating pressure and keeping it on teams for long periods of the game. This year they seemed to have added a bit more to their game in terms of offloading, but they are still very good at the basics and doing what they need to keep pressure on you as an opposition.”