Chiefs side to face Falcons

Forwards coach Rob Hunter says it will be a “huge achievement” if Exeter Chiefs can progress to a first-ever European semi-final this weekend.

Standing in the way of the Devon club are Aviva Premiership rivals Newcastle Falcons, who provide the opposition at Sandy Park tomorrow night (8pm).

Hunter knows that the North East outfit will pose a creditable threat, particularly as the competition has now reached the knock-out stages.

With the two teams having collected a win apiece in the Premiership this season, it’s all to play for in this latest match-up, which will see the victors face either Gloucester or Connacht in the last four later this month.

“We’re hugely excited and playing at home is always fantastic, especially in a European quarter-final,” said Hunter. “We like an evening game here and having home support is really important to us. This year we’ve put a real focus on making sure our home performances reflected how much we care about playing for Exeter - and I think the lads have done that very well.

“That said, we know Saturday is going to be a tough game for us. We’ve already lost once to them this season and in terms of the Cup, it’s knockout from here on in and they are a dangerous side as they play with lots of ambition and approach the game in that tone.”

However, the last meeting between the two sides on Valentine’s Day saw the Chiefs hit top form, running out 46-17 victors at Sandy Park.

Hunter is hopeful his team can replicate that display, but knows the visiting Falcons will be looking for a much improved display on their latest visit to the Westcountry.

“I’m sure they were disappointed with their first half down here, whilst we were very pleased with ours,” explained Hunter. “At the moment, honours are even between the two of us, so I’m sure they’ll expect another big start from us, but they will have prepared for that.

“Similarly we have to focus on what we do well and we have to put that out on the pitch from the outset.”

Saturday’s showdown is the latest in a line of big games facing the Chiefs heading into the business end of the season, but Hunter insists he and the squad would not have if any other way.

“Every week is a big match and that’s how you want it,” said Hunter. “You spend all those months doing pre-season and all those months in the season itself, so it would be shame to do all that work and then see the season fizzle out.

“For us this is a big game, last week was big and next week will be equally as big. For us to get used to being in those important games, you have to be in them and that’s what we are experiencing now.

“Every point, every kick and every tackle, they all count now and that’s a good place to be because it gives it all real meat.”

Team news for the Chiefs sees Ben Moon and Tomas Francis return in the front-row alongside Jack Yeandle, whilst behind knocks to Phil Dollman and Jack Nowell mean there are inclusions for Byron McGuigan and Tom James. Tongan international Fetu’u Vainikolo also comes onto the bench.

15 Byron McGuigan

14 Tom James

13 Ian Whitten

12 Sam Hill

11 Matt Jess

10 Henry Slade

9 Will Chudley

1 Ben Moon

2 Jack Yeandle

3 Tomas Francis

4 Mitch Lees

5 Damian Welch