Chiefs’ head coach Rob Baxter has used the break in the league to his advantage to give game-time to players returning from injury and who have not featured heavily in the last 11 weeks, as well as first chances for some young players.
Academy player Michael Stupple, who goes by the name of Herbie, will make his first start for Chiefs at Rodney Parade, and may well be followed onto the pitch by potential debutants Jack Andrew, Lewis Calder and Dave Ewers off the bench. Adam and Ewers are also part of Exeter Chiefs’ academy while Calder, son of Lions and Scotland player Jim Calder and nephew of rugby legend Finlay Calder, is on load from Redruth.
Baxter said: “We are really looking forward to this game. We have made a lot of changes by including some guys who deserve more game-time.
“Herbie is one of our academy players and has been training with us all season and has been playing quality rugby down at Redruth.”
Stupple, who played at centre for Redruth at the weekend, said: “I have been looking forward to this all season; just hoping to put a No 8 shirt on for Exeter. I have been playing for Redruth, which has been good, but this is what I have wanted to do. Rob has given me a chance and I want to show him what I can do.”
Sean Tomes will start at lock on Friday and will be armed with a certain amount of inside knowledge after playing for Newport last season.
He said: “I know a little about Newport as I played a little bit for them when I was involved with the Dragons. South Wales is massive for rugby; it’s their main sport and they take a lot of pride in their rugby. They like to play an expansive game while keeping the emphasis on tough forward play. We’ll definitely be playing some rugby up there!”
Newport v Exeter Chiefs
British & Irish Cup
Friday, November 20, 2009 – KO 7.30pm
Rodney Parade
15 Sean Marsden
14 Nic Sestaret
13 Bryan Rennie
12 Tom Bedford
11 Paul McKenzie
10 Danny Gray
9 Clive Stuart-Smith
1 Ben Moon
2 Saul Nelson
3 Ruaidhri Murphy
4 Sean Tomes
5 James Hanks
6 Alan Miller (capt)
7 Andy Miller
8 Michael Stupple
16 Jack Andrew
17 Sam Blythe
18 Toby Freeman
19 Lewis Calder
20 Dave Ewers
21 Richard Bolt
22 Matt Cornwell
