1
Man of the match Vermeulen missing from Exeter's semi-final XV
By Online Editors
Exeter Chiefs will be without last Sunday's quarter-final man of the match Jacques Vermeulen when they host Toulouse in this Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final at Sandy Park.
Vermeulen was a constant thorn for Northampton, running in tries and energetically making his presence felt, but the South African back row misses out this week for reasons that Exeter failed to clarify in their team announcement.
Vermeulen's place is taken by Scotland international Sam Skinner, a sub last weekend, while on the bench Dave Dennis and Don Armand are included with Jannes Kirsten making way.
Exeter boss Rob Baxter told his club's website: “The key thing this week is that we don’t get too excited about the game too quickly.
"For a game like this, you have to expend a huge amount of emotional energy, but not in the build-up. Our aim has to be to have those emotional batteries full for kick-off, then release it all from the outset.”
Toulouse make one change to the XV that defeated Ulster last Sunday, Julien Marchand taking over from Peato Mauvaka at hooker.
EXETER: 15. Stuart Hogg; 14. Jack Nowell, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Ian Whitten, 11. Tom O'Flaherty; 10. Joe Simmonds (capt), 9. Jack Maunder; 1. Alec Hepburn, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Harry Williams, 4. Jonny Gray, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Dave Ewers, 7. Sam Skinner, 8. Sam Simmonds. Reps: 16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Tom Francis, 19. Dave Dennis, 20. Don Armand, 21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22. Gareth Steenson, 23. Ollie Devoto.
TOULOUSE: 15. Thomas Ramos; 14. Yoann Huget, 13. Sofiane Guitoune, 12. Pita Ahki, 11. Cheslin Kolbe; 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont; 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Joe Tekori, 6. Jerome Kaino (capt), 7. Francois Cros, 8. Selevasio Tolofua. Reps: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Alban Placines, 20. Louis Madaule, 21. Alexi Bales, 22. Zack Holmes, 23. Matthis Lebel.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Stuart Hogg addresses rumours of rugby return
3
Nigel Owens has final say on URC's most controversial game
4
OTD – Declan Kidney takes step up into Test rugby
5
Latest Comments
Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to comments