Chiefs demonstrate depth of squad with rousing victory

Given their chance to shine by the club’s coaching staff, Exeter’s young and old combined to great effect to give the Chiefs a bright start to their LV= Cup campaign at London Welsh, writes Mark Stevens.

In a rousing display at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium, the true depth of the current Chiefs squad was displayed in all it’s glory as the Devon club produced a stunning six-try success against their Premiership rivals.

Young full-back Jack Nowell led the victory march for the visitors on Remembrance Sunday as he claimed two of the tries in a superb man-of-the-match showing. However, the Cornishman was joined on the scoresheet by Nic Sestaret, who himself added two tries, plus further tries for Will Carrick-Smith (pictured) and Mark Foster.

Fly-half Henry Slade plundered the remainder of their points; whilst all Welsh could muster in terms of a response were five penalties from their own man at No.10, Gordon Ross.

Fresh from their impressive Premiership victory over Worcester Warriors, it was indeed a much changed Chiefs line-up that took to the field in Oxford. Not only was the starting XV completely different, but on the bench there were also a splattering of changes.

Youngsters Carrick-Smith, Justin Blanchet, Joel Conlon and Slade were all handed their senior debuts, whilst on the bench the only player with any significant first team experience was that of Maori prop Hoani Tui, who was included for the first time this season since damaging his hamstring in the pre-season friendly at Glasgow.

Welsh: T Arscott (J Ajuwa 66); T Voyce, S Parker (J Lewis 72), S Jewell, N Scott; G Ross, N Runciman(A Davies 72); F Montanella (T Bristow 52), N Briggs (D George 22-26, h/t), G Bateman (J Tideswell 72); M Purdy (A Brown h/t), J Mills (capt), D Browne, M Denbee (A Balding 56), L Beach.

Penalties – Ross (5)

Chiefs: J Nowell; N Sestaret (R Coote 79), S Hill, M Dorrian (M Pope 75), M Foster; H Slade, J Poluleuligaga (capt, S Townsend 79); B Moon (L Cowan-Dickie 66), N Clark (J Yeandle 66), C Budgen (H Tui 56); D Welch, W Carrick-Smith (J Gray 79); J Conlon (S Simmonds 75), J Blanchet, D Ewers.

Tries - Carrick-Smith, Foster, Nowell (2), Sestaret (2); Conversions – Slade (3); Penalties - Slade (2)

Referee: I Davies (WRFU)

Touch Judges: G Copsey & K Stewart

4th Official: S Davey

Attendance: 2,084

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Ospreys (H), LV= Cup, Saturday, November 17 (5pm)

Full match report here http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/welsh-15-chiefs-42/