Richards enthused by logical Exeter selection
After announcing a side showing six changes from the Aviva Premiership round two fixture against Northampton, Director of Rugby Dean Richards says the selection is a logical one following the game at Stadium:MK.
Richards said: “Some boys didn’t quite hit their straps last weekend, so there a couple of changes there, a couple of changes are a case of horses for courses and a couple of the boys haven’t made it through injuries, Chris Harris being one of them.”
“Will Welch coming back means a bit of a change in the back row and when you look at the changes, they are pretty logical bearing in mind what we are faced with.”
Switching from his usual berth on the openside, Welch will this week captain the side from the number six shirt, with Richards backing the 25 year old to combine well with back row partners Nili Latu and Ally Hogg.
“Welchy can play six and seven, which he has done before, so it’s not something that is alien to him. He is a lot like a Hoggy who can play across the back row. Nili shone last week and played well so with him Ally and Will, it will give us flexibility and speed around the park and three captains on the field.”
Having made further tweaks in the backline, including a first Aviva Premiership start for Tom Penny, Richards says it is a combination that is exciting.
“We’ve got an exciting backline, with some good strength in the back three and with Tom Penny starting at thirteen. Every time he has played he has fared well and this is probably his favoured position as well, which will hopefully give him that little more confidence, being somewhere he will know his role inside out.”
Tickets for Sunday’s game are still available and can be booked by clicking here calling 0871 2266060 or by visiting the Kingston Park box office
