2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs taking place? Friday 26th February, 2021 – 19:45 (UK)
Where is Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs taking place? AJ Bell Stadium, Eccles
Where can I get tickets for Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs? Check official club websites for information about purchasing tickets
What television channel is Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs on? BT Sport have the rights to televise Gallagher Premiership matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs? If televised on BT Sport, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Sale Sharks: 15 Luke James, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Cameron Neild, 6 Jono Ross (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Josh Beaumont, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Bevan Rodd
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, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Sean Lonsdale, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jack Yeandle (c), 1 Alec Hepburn
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
THE PREDICTION
Sale Sharks were overtaken by both Northampton Saints and their opponents last weekend as Harlequins comfortably beat them 24-12 at home on Saturday. Now on back-to-back defeats after such a promising run in January they face the reigning champions Exeter Chiefs at home here without some of their international stars. Travelling Exeter were beaten by Northampton in a tight 12-13 result at home and they will be looking for a bounce-back performance here after mistakes were at the heart of that disappointment. Exeter are just three points behind Bristol Bears as things stand and this could be a war of attrition between two sides looking for a response but the quality should eventually tell with the visitors able to cover -3 here.
