2020-21 European Rugby Champions Cup – Exeter Chiefs vs Lyon Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Exeter Chiefs vs Lyon taking place? Saturday 3rd April, 2021 – 17:30 (UK)

Where is Exeter Chiefs vs Lyon taking place? Sandy Park, Exeter

Where can I get tickets for Exeter Chiefs vs Lyon? Visit official club websites for ticket information

What television channel is Exeter Chiefs vs Lyon on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport

Where can I stream Exeter Chiefs vs Lyon? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app

THE TEAM NEWS

Exeter: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds (c), 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Jonny Gray, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Alec Hepburn

Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Jannes Kirsten, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Ian Whitten

Lyon: 15 Toby Arnold, 14 Xavier Mignot, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Charlie Ngatai (c), 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Jonathan Wisniewski, 9 Baptiste Couilloud, 8 Patrick Sobela, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Izack Rodda, 4 Felix Lambey, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Jeremie Maurouard, 1 Vivien Devisme

Replacements: 16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Joe Taufete’e, 19 Mickael Guillard, 20 Alex Tulou, 21 Jean-Marc Doussain, 22 Thibaut Regard, 23 Clément Laporte

THE PREDICTION

Reigning Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs were shocked by struggling Gloucester 34-18 away from home last Friday night to continue their stuttering attempts to defend their domestic title. They might enjoy the break away from league format to play in another tournament for which they hold the title and some knockout rugby against in-form Top 14 side Lyon. The visitors are on a really impressive three-match winning streak in France right now and thrashed Toulon 54-16 at home last time out to add to a defeat of current leaders Toulouse at home two weeks prior. However, as formidable as they are at home, Lyon are not too comfortable on their travels and this fixture puts them at a disadvantage. Were it played in Lyon, the French side would be slight favourites to knock out the reigning champions but this way around the Chiefs should be able to bounce back comfortably enough by covering -10.