Venue: Stade Jean-Dauger Date: Sunday, 21 January Kick-off: 17:30 GMT |
Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio Devon, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. |
Exeter make five changes as they look to maintain their 100% record by beating Bayonne on Sunday in Pool 3 of the Investec Champions Cup.
Josh Hodge starts at full-back and Olly Woodburn replaces England’s new recruit Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wing.
Ollie Devoto comes in at inside centre, while Dan Frost is named at hooker and new Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins returns from injury at lock.
With three straight wins Exeter have already secured a home knockout tie.
Munster’s defeat by Northampton on Saturday ensured a top-two finish in the pool for the Chiefs, but a 53 point bonus-point win on Sunday would secure top spot.
Glasgow’s victory over Toulon on Friday means Bayonne have sealed a spot in the Challenge Cup by finishing fifth regardless of their result against Exeter.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “It’s an interesting situation as we play pretty much the last game of the whole round.
“Northampton Saints play Munster the night before we play, so we’ll know exactly what we need to get the second spot and potentially the first spot. So, I think those are all interesting challenges, especially for a young group.
“There’s no point trying not to watch their game to know what we need to do – but ensuring it doesn’t become a distraction is what will be important.”
Line-ups
Bayonne: Spring; Callandret, Maqala, Lestrade, Hannoun; Dolhagaray, Rouet; Perchaud, Giudicelli, Tagi, Marchois (c), Mikautadze, Huguet, Heguy, Bruni.
Replacements: Bosch, Cormenier, Villar, Leindekar, Ariceta, Labarbe, Mori, Pourailly.
Exeter: Hodge; Hammersley, Slade, Devoto, Woodburn; Skinner, Cairns; Hepburn, Frost, Painter, Tuima, Jenkins (c), Roots, Vermeulen, Fisilau.
Replacements: Yeandle, Southworth, Iosefa-Scott, Pearson, Vintcent, Townsend, Hawkins, Wimbush.