Exeter Chiefs vs Bath: Champions to respond after European heartache

Domestic matters are now the focus for Exeter and Bath following last weekend's European exits.

The Chiefs were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Ulster, while Bath went down to Champions Cup holders Bordeaux. It's back to Prem action on Sunday when the duo clash at Sandy Park and Exeter may have fallen out of the top four by kick-off, should Bristol beat Saracens on Saturday.

Bath will start the match second, yet the outcome of Saturday's clash between third-placed Leicester and leaders Northampton means either the Tigers will be putting on pressure from behind, or the Saints could have pulled clear at the top.

Exeter Chiefs vs Bath odds

Rugby Union odds

Team news

Exeter have named Josh Iosefa-Scott at tighthead prop in the only change to their pack from the defeat to Ulster.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is going through HIA protocols, so Paul Brown-Bampoe starts on the wing. Olly Woodburn is named at full-back against his former club.

Bath prop Francois van Wyk makes his 50th appearance for the club and is part of a new-look front row alongside Exeter hooker Dan Frost and Archie Griffin.

Lock Ross Molony, flankers Ted Hill and Sam Underhill are also included in the pack.

Behind the scrum, Will Butt's inclusion at inside centre means Ollie Lawrence moves to 13, while Henry Arundell switches to the left wing to accommodate Joe Cokanasiga's return.

Tom de Glanville is selected at full-back, with Santi Carreras on the bench alongside the likes of Beno Obano, Thomas du Toit and Cameron Redpath.

Match odds

Exeter are 2/1 to win on Sunday, with a tie 14/1 and a Bath victory 4/9, while handicap backers can get Exeter -6 at 20/21.

Bath -10 @ 11/8

Bath may have lost their last two games, but there were caveats. Johann van Graan made wholesale changes for the 41-38 defeat to Northampton.

The big guns returned last Sunday, but came up against a brilliant Bordeaux team, who beat them 38-26 and are 80 minutes from retaining the Champions Cup.

Exeter are also on a losing form, going down 35-28 to Saints and then 34-31 at Gloucester, before last week's 29-12 loss to Ulster.

The Chiefs deserve real credit for turning themselves around after finishing ninth last season but their momentum looks to be stalling.

They missed out on Prem Rugby Cup glory in losing to Leicester in March's final and look unlikely to go on to win a second league title.

Reigning English champions Bath are aiming to make the Twickenham Grand Final for a third straight season and need to refocus after their defeat to Bordeaux for what might be a bit of a 'Last Dance', with key players preparing to depart this summer.

They have won five of seven road league games this season, but have struggled to pull away from opponents - their last two Prem away matches have been a five-point win at Sale and that three-point defeat at Northampton.

However, Exeter's dip makes them vulnerable and Bath can begin the run-in with a valuable victory.