Today's Chiefs side to face Quins

After impressive showings in the Aviva Premiership and the Heineken Cup, Exeter Chiefs switch their attentions to the LV= Cup this afternoon with assistant forwards coach Rob Hunter insisting there is still “more to come” from his side this season.

A promising opening to the campaign has seen the Devon club not only position themselves within the Premiership’s top four clubs, but after two rounds of Europe they are also at the summit of a highly competitive Pool Two that also includes defending champions Toulon.

This weekend, however, both those competitions will be cast to one side as the Chiefs focus all their thoughts on the impending visit of current LV= Cup holders Harlequins to Sandy Park (3pm).

“It’s a big game for us,” said Hunter, who alongside Skills Coach Ricky Pellow will take command of the Chiefs for the next fortnight. “We have seen with Harlequins in the past that they go for every competition they are in, so they will be tough opposition for us.

“They may be missing one or two players through injury and international call-ups, but at the same time they have some really good young players. They have a strong academy structure, similar to us in a way, with a few experienced heads added into the mix. I’ve no doubt it will be an exciting game at the weekend. They will not come just to throw the ball about; they’re a tough, gritty side who like to play strong rugby, so we have to be prepared to meet that threat.”

Certainly Hunter is right to warn of the threat posed by the Londoners, but at the same time the Chiefs themselves will be able to parade a power array of talent within their ranks. Such is the strength of the current Exeter squad these days; the home side will be able to send out a completely new starting XV from that which had triumphed at Sale Sharks in the league last time out.

Summer signings Greg Bateman, Romana Graham, Don Armand and skipper Ceri Sweeney will all be handed their maiden starts for the club, whilst there are also first appearances of the season for the likes of James Hanks, Will Chudley, Sireli Naqelevuki (pictured), Jack Arnott and last season’s LV= Cup Breakthrough Player of the Year, Jack Nowell.

Even then the available talent does not stop as the home side also include Alex Brown, James Scaysbrook, Henry Slade and Luke Arscott from the outset.

It’s a mix of players which clearly excites Hunter, who added: “We have got a good turnover this week. We’ve got a few guys coming back from injury, plus some really fresh guys who have not played for a few weeks, so there is a lot of excitement about getting out on the pitch and trying to do well.

“Looking at our squad, we have got a real good mix, we’ve got some young lads in there who will be looking to cement their place in the first team, but we’ve also got some old boys back who have had some time out, so it’s great to see them back out on the pitch and raring to go.

“For these guys it’s a case of following on from what we’ve been producing already this season. Last week at Sale was a tough night for us, they threw the kitchen sink at us in the second half, but we weathered that really well. As I said, we’ve been on a good run of games, but by no means are we the finished article. I think there is still lots more to come from this squad and this cup competition is the next stage for us in that respect.”

With such options available, Hunter believes this group of players will be determined to prove their worth over the next two weeks, so that not only do the Chiefs position themselves nicely in terms of future qualification, but at the same time give the coaches plenty to ponder ahead of their return to Premiership action against Saracens later in the month.

“We managed to get through the first block of the season really well, this despite missing a few of the guys through injuries,” added Hunter. “Coming off the back of these next two weeks, we hope to have some real tough decisions to make. Certainly in the back five of the pack there is real strength, but I think Ricky and Ali are also going to have some real decisions to make when you look at the quality of the guys coming back into it.”

Tickets for tomorrow’s encounter are still available either online or through the Trading Post and Hunter hopes as many Exeter supporters turn out in force to help add extra support to the home side’s cause. “There is always so much excitement about getting picked in a home game because there is always such a good atmosphere,” explained Hunter. “I just hope folk understand how much of a difference it makes to the lads. The appeal of pulling on a home shirt and the noise, it’s just fantastic, and it’s a great environment for them to go out and play in.”

15 Luke Arscott

14 Jack Nowell

13 Sireli Naqelevuki

12 Henry Slade

11 Jack Arnott

10 Ceri Sweeney (capt)

9 Will Chudley

1 Ben Moon

2 Greg Bateman

3 Alex Brown

4 Romana Graham

5 James Hanks