2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Worcester Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Worcester Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs taking place? Saturday 30th January, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Worcester Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs taking place? Sixways Stadium, Worcester
Where can I get tickets for Worcester Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs? Check official club websites for information about purchasing tickets
What television channel is Worcester Warriors 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 Worcester Warriors 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
Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Oli Morris, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Nick David, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Marco Mama, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Ted Hill (c), 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Justin Clegg, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Ethan Waller
Replacements: 16 Beck Cutting, 17 Marc Thomas, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Anton Bresler, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Francois Venter
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Richard Capstick, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Jonny Gray, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Jack Yeandle (c), 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 James Kenny, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Don Armand, 20 Sean Lonsdale, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Tom Hendrickson
THE PREDICTION
Installing Jonathan Thomas as their new head coach was not enough to aid Worcester in a 20-13 loss to Sale last time out but they have made a marquee signing in England winger Chris Ashton. Worcester were awarded a default victory against Ashton’s former club Harlequins in the match previous to stay above Gloucester at the foot of the Premiership table and have an opportunity here against a suddenly fragile Exeter Chiefs. The reigning champions seem to be suffering a crisis of confidence and conceded the lead at the top of the table to Bristol Bears in a 7-20 defeat last time out to make it back-to-back defeats to their nearest rivals, Wasps being their other vanquisher. The enforced break from European competition will have done the Chiefs the world of good and head coach Rob Baxter will be targeting a stabilising performance here away to Worcester that could see an away victory with fewer points than their usual gut-busting performances. Worcester will be up for this but the difference in quality should eventually tell to see Exeter cover -10 here.
