RugbyRebels

Exeter: Wyatt; Nowell (c), Slade, O'Brien, Woodburn; J Simmonds, Becconsall; Sio, Frost, Street, Gray, Jenkins, Kirsten, Tshiunza, S Simmonds.

Replacements: Yeandle, Hepburn, Iosefa-Scott, Davis, Ewers, Cairns, Skinner, Hodge

Montpellier: Bouthier (c); Lam, Darmon, Serfontein, Rattez; Garbisi, Reinach; Forletta, Paenga-Amosa, Thomas, Stooke, Duguid, Van Rensburg, Dakuwaqa, Mercer.

Replacements: Langdon, Lamositele, Haouas, Nouchi, Coly, Carbonel, Bridge, Tauleigne.

I don't know anything about Becconsall and Cairns. Two young SHs presumably?

Who's Wyatt the fullback, don't recognise him either.

Doesn’t look a team to fear, that is for sure!

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 8:45 am Who's Wyatt the fullback, don't recognise him either.

Looks to be a centre from the Pirates

Wyatt has looked very good in the Prem Cup games i've seen. Quick, elusive runner.

Beconsall, the young SH, has something about him. Sensibly Simmonds is restored at FH.

Simmonds V Mercer at 8 should be an interesting match up.

Plenty of unforced errors but fun nonetheless

Chiefs really have rotated personnel as Baxter implied they would, using some of the Prem Cup winning side.

Becconsall passes well and gets the ball away fast.

Mercer red!

great try by Wyatt

great game

well done at the end amazing last try

great comeback by Exeter after a great comeback by Montpelier. Tough one to lose after playing so long with 14 men.

Thrilling game, though. Mercer terrific while he was on.

Cracking watch!!!
Loved the exuberance of youth with the 2 Exeter 9’s alongside the rampaging Frost. Both 8’s were in fine form as was Carbonel for MP.

Not sure why Skinner was left on the bench as J Simmonds couldn’t tackle an Ainsley Harriet recipe today

Possibly because tackling is the only thing Skinner is better at than Joe Simmonds.

FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 7:52 am Possibly because tackling is the only thing Skinner is better at than Joe Simmonds.

Yep, and Simmonds ran that final attack pretty well I’d say. 18 phases after playing for 100 minutes plus was quite some team effort.

There are two ways to Skinner cat.

FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 7:52 am Possibly because tackling is the only thing Skinner is better at than Joe Simmonds.

I just thought with the game at 26-18, and the clock heading closer and closer to 80mins, the option to tighten up the defence might have been a valid option.

As it happens Simmonds managed to 'usher' Nouchi close to the corner flag for a difficult conversion

fivepointer wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 3:52 pm great comeback by Exeter after a great comeback by Montpelier. Tough one to lose after playing so long with 14 men.

Thrilling game, though. Mercer terrific while he was on.

Felt S Simmonds edged it over Mercer in terms of power and shear explosive pace.

You mean he’s faster or he was more effective?

I was incredibly impressed with the amount of ground Mercer covered. It was only after his red card I realised there was another blue scrum cap peddling its trade for Montpelier.

Some effort by Langdon and Stooke.

fivepointer wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 7:43 pm Some effort by Langdon and Stooke.

Langdon was excellent. Another ex Wuss player on the up!
Both hookers were great value (oo-er)

Wow Saints with a player that turns up in defence. Langdon should be a good signing for them next season.

Fair play for Stooke that's a big effort in a game with plenty of scrums and mauls.