Exeter vs Saracens: Wounded Chiefs want to make Sarries suffer

Revenge mission: Exeter’s Gareth Steenson tries to evade George Kruis in last season’s Premiership final
David Rogers/Getty Images
Chris Jones9 September 2016

Saracens will face an Exeter team at Sandy Park on Sunday motivated not only by the Aviva Premiership final loss to the European and domestic champions at Twickenham but also the memory of their only home defeat in 20 months.

Exeter pushed Sarries hard before losing 28-20 last May at HQ and still appear to be the best equipped team to threaten the champions’ bid for another Premiership title, although while Brad Barritt’s men eased to a 35-3 win over Worcester last weekend, Exeter went down 25-20 at Wasps.

Gareth Steenson, the top points scorer in the Premiership last season with 258, came off the bench late on against Wasps but is expected to start on Sunday.

He said: “Sarries are a top quality side and the only team to win at Sandy Park last season, so that’s something we want to put right. It is a big test for us and we are proud of our home record, so hopefully a full house at Sandy Park can drive us on.

“For sure, lessons were learnt at Twickenham. It was a big crowd, a big competition and it was a big learning experience for all of us. Sarries had obviously been there before and were used to it, but I think we took a lot from the whole day. The boys are bitterly disappointed after the weekend loss to Wasps because we dominated for long periods of the game and had a good lead at half-time.

“This weekend will be different, though. We have not talked too much about last season, it’s more the fact this is our first home game of the season and as a squad we’re really looking forward to it.”

Sarries look certain to be unchanged, with Alex Lozowski, who scored 20 points on his Premiership debut for Sarries, continuing at No10, with Schalk Burger on the flank and Sean Maitland at left-wing.

Meanwhile, Premiership Rugby has confirmed the base level of its Salary Cap Framework for 2018-19 and 2019-20 will remain at £7million. This season, clubs are operating with a £6.5m cap, rising to £7m next season. Two ‘marquee’ players remain outside the agreed cap.

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