After scrappy wins at Worcester and Newcastle were followed by last weekend’s shock home defeat to Northampton, questions are starting to be asked of Exeter’s credentials to defend the Premiership title they won in October.
International call-ups have hit them harder than they’d have liked, but they could have been a lot worse had try-machine Sam Simmonds’ outstanding club form got due recognition from Eddie Jones.
One thing the Chiefs never lack for is physicality but Sale Sharks have that in spades, too, and if ever the Sharks had an opportunity to make a statement result, this is it.
Having Faf de Klerk back in the starting line-up, along with fellow World Cup-winning Springbok Lood de Jager, improves their chances immeasurably. And AJ MacGinty’s selection at fly-half is another source of reassurance that Pat Sanderson’s charges can deliver on their potential at long last.
Positioned second in the standings, just three points adrift of leaders Bristol Bears, Exeter are still some way short of a crisis, but they may come up short again against a well-drilled side that is used to absorbing pressure and playing for long periods without the ball.
Team news for the Chiefs sees Baxter make two changes to his pack from last weekend. In the second-row, Sean Lonsdale comes in for his first start of the season in place of Will Witty, while South African Jacques Vermeulen is also included for the first time this season, having recovered from shoulder surgery. He replaces Richard Capstick at open-side.
Behind them, Joe Simmonds returns at fly-half, while a switch around in the back three sees Facundo Cordero return on the wing with Josh Hodge switching to full-back as Stuart Hogg is on international duty with Scotland.
Sharks have been attracting the money this week and the handicap is down to just a single point in their favour. We agree it has all the makings of a 50:50 encounter but home advantage and the Chiefs’ recent dip in form just swings it the Sharks’ way.
Recommended bet: Sharks to win 11/10 (Paddy Power)
Sale Sharks:
15. Luke James, 14. Byron McGuigan, 13. Sam James, 12. Sam Hill, 11. Marland Yarde, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Faf de Klerk; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Will-Griff John, 4. Josh Beaumont, 5. Lood de Jager, 6. Jono Ross (Capt.), 7. Cameron Neild, 8. Daniel du Preez.
Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Ross Harrison, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Cobus Wiese, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Robert du Preez, 23. Simon Hammersley.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Josh Hodge, 14 Facundo Cordero, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Jack Maunder, 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Jack Yeandle (capt), 3 Harry Williams, 4 Sean Lonsdale, 5 Sam Skinner, 6 Dave Ewers, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 8 Sam Simmonds.
Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Don Armand, 20 Richard Capstick, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Tom Hendrickson.
