Exeter Chiefs name strong side to face Harlequins on Saturday

Despite a guaranteed home semi-final and officially topping the premiership table last weekend, Exeter Chiefs remain with a strong team tomorrow as they face Harlequins at the Stoop.

Chiefs head coach Ali Hepher says he'll be adopting a 'full-on' approach ahead of their final-day trip to the capital.

"I think there's a lot riding on this weekend," he said. "Harlequins will have the motivation that it's their last home game of the season, they've got some top quality players, and they'll be disappointed with recent results. We're expecting them to come flying at us from the very first minute.

"Equally, there is a lot riding on it for us as well, both as a team and for the players as individuals. What they have to say to us as coaches with their level of performance is that they can't leave me out of the semi-final, so I think there is an incredible amount on it.

"As far as developing stuff for the future and moving on, we don't really look at it like that. We have got a good, quality side that we have to try and beat, we've done our analysis based on the opposition, and we will try and perform to the best of our ability against them."

A bonus point victory at The Stoop tomorrow will see the Chiefs move past the 84-point mark they and Wasps reached last term, but despite their imperious form, the Chiefs Director of Rugby insists there is still more to come from his players.

"We haven't hit top gear yet," said Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter this week. "I wouldn't say Sale on Saturday was a top-gear performance, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. There are a few reasons for that, but the fact they we are ticking along nicely is a good thing.

As has been the case in recent weeks, the Chiefs are rotating their playing options to ensure their squad remains in fine fettle and that any niggles don't become anything more than that.  With that in mind, changes to the line-up from a week ago see Ben Moon, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jonny Hill and Thomas Waldrom come into the pack, while behind Olly Woodburn returns on the wing, Jack Nowell shunts into the centre, while Phil Dollman is also back to start at full-back.

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE HARLEQUINS

15 Phil Dollman
14 Santiago Cordero
13 Jack Nowell
12 Sam Hill
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Nic White
1 Ben Moon
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Tomas Francis
4 Mitch Lees
5 Jonny Hill
6 Dave Ewers
7 Don Armand (capt)
8 Thomas Waldrom

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Alec Hepburn
18 Greg Holmes
19 Sam Skinner
20 Dave Dennis
21 Stu Townsend
22 Gareth Steenson
23 Tom Hendrickson