Sandy Park buzzing after Chiefs win against Wasps

If this was the first real acid test of Exeter’s title credentials this season, then the Chiefs passed it with flying colours, brushing aside the attentions of visiting Wasps at Sandy Park.

Rob Baxter’s side maintained pole position in the Aviva Premiership with a powerful, five-try victory that will have been noted with interest across the division by their top flight rivals.

Winger Olly Woodburn continued his rich vein of form with another brace of tries, while there were further touchdowns for Dave Dennis, Don Armand and Shaun Malton. Skipper Gareth Steenson completed the job with the remaining points coming from his trusty right boot.

Wasps countered with tries of their own through Ashley Johnson and Josh Bassett, plus seven points from Jimmy Gopperth, but it proved insufficient as their long wait for a win at Sandy Park continues into the future.

Having secured their second maximum haul of the season at Worcester the week previous, Baxter stuck with a largely unchanged line-up for the first meeting of the season between last season’s top two sides.

Injuries to Jack Yeandle and Phil Dollman meant Elvis Taione and Lachie Turner were brought into the starting XV, as was Exeter-born second row forward Sam Skinner, who like Taione, was making his first-ever Premiership start for the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, Wasps - who saw their 20-game unbeaten home run come to an end when they lost to Harlequins - made a handful of changes, most notably recalling fly-half Gopperth, who was last season’s Premiership Player of the Year.
The prolific points-scoring Kiwi formed a new-look half-back pairing alongside Joe Simpson, whilst there were also stars for Matt Symons and Ashley Johnson in the pack and Juan De Jongh and Josh Bassett in the back division.

Exeter Chiefs 31 Wasps 17

For the full match report, go to https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-31-wasps-17