Clash of Titans: Exeter Chiefs Face Cornish Pirates in Thrilling Pre-Season Doubleheader

Rugby fans are in for a treat today as the Exeter Chiefs gear up to host the Cornish Pirates at Sandy Park in what promises to be an electrifying pre-season doubleheader. With the Chiefs naming two formidable squads, the stage is set for an afternoon of top-tier rugby action.

Exeter Chiefs Unveil Strong Line-Ups

The Exeter Chiefs have announced two powerful line-ups for the day, highlighting the depth and quality of their squad. The first match, kicking off at 2pm, sees the Chiefs take on London Scottish. Exeter’s starting XV for this clash includes key players like fullback Josh Hodge, who will lead the backline alongside Campbell Ridl and Ben Hammersley. The experienced Scott Sio will captain the team, anchoring the scrum at loosehead prop.

Following this, the much-anticipated showdown against the Cornish Pirates will kick off at 4pm. This match features another strong Chiefs side, with Dan John at fullback and Olly Woodburn on the wing. Harvey Skinner will steer the ship at fly-half, while Tom Cairns takes charge at scrum-half. Jacques Vermeulen, named captain for this match, will lead the forwards from the flanker position, aiming to set the tone with his physicality and leadership.

Cornish Pirates Ready for the Challenge

On the other side of the pitch, the Cornish Pirates are set to bring their A-game. Head coach Gavin Cattle has acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by the Chiefs, noting that this match will be a significant step up from their previous friendly against Redruth.

The Pirates’ line-up features a mix of experienced players and promising talent. Will Trewin will start at fullback, with Robin Wedlake and Arthur Relton on the wings. Bruce Houston is set to orchestrate the attack from fly-half, with Cam Jones providing service from scrum-half. Captain John Stevens will lead the charge from number eight, supported by a strong pack including Charlie ‘Buster’ Rice in the second row.

Team Line-Ups

Exeter Chiefs v London Scottish:

15 Josh Hodge 14 Campbell Ridl 13 Ben Hammersley 12 Joe Hawkins 11 Kian Gentry 10 Will Haydon-Wood 9 Sam Maunder; 1 Scott Sio (captain) 2 Max Norey 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott 4 Joe Bailey 5 Lewis Pearson 6 Richard Capstick 7 Martin Moloney 8 Kane James.

Replacements (shirt numbers as listed): 16 Jack Yeandle 17 Billy Keast 18 Jimmy Roots 19 Oscar Beckerleg 20 Jack Forsythe 21 Tom Cairns 22 Ben Coen 23 Nick Lilley 24 Noah Fenton 17 Josh Mann 20 Louie Gulley.

Exeter Chiefs v Cornish Pirates:

15 Dan John 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe 13 Zack Wimbush 12 Will Rigg 11 Olly Woodburn 10 Harvey Skinner 9 Tom Cairns; 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke 2 Dan Frost 3 Ehren Painter 4 Jack Dunne 5 Rusi Tuima 6 Finn Worley-Brady 7 Jacques Vermeulen (captain) 8 Greg Fisilau.

Replacements (shirt numbers as listed): 16 Jack Innard 17 Kwenzo Blose 18 Marcus Street 19 Eoin O’Connor 20 Lucas Dorrell 21 Niall Armstrong 22 Ben Coen 23 Nick Lilley 17 Josh Mann 19 Louie Gulley 21 Noah Fenton.

As for the Cornish Pirates, the full selection is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:

15 Will Trewin 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Charlie McCaig 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Arthur Relton 10 Bruce Houston 9 Cam Jones; 1 Billy Young 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Jay Tyack 4 Charlie ‘Buster’ Rice 5 Hugh Bokenham 6 Alex Everett 7 Will Gibson 8 John Stevens (captain).

Replacements (shirt numbers TBC on the day): Sol Moody, Harry Hocking, James French, Oisin Michel, Ollie Andrews, Milo Hallam, Josh King, Matt Cannon, Dan Hiscocks, Will Rigelsford (guest player), Iwan Jenkins, Matt McNab, Harry Yates, Iwan Price-Thomas.

A Must-Watch Encounter

With both teams fielding such strong squads, today’s matches are sure to provide plenty of excitement for the fans. For the Cornish Pirates, this match against the Chiefs serves as a vital test of their readiness for the upcoming season, offering them a chance to measure their progress and identify areas for improvement.

Rugby enthusiasts attending the games can enjoy both fixtures with a single ticket, available through this link. As the teams prepare to lock horns, all eyes will be on Sandy Park this afternoon for what promises to be an unforgettable pre-season spectacle.