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NEWCASTLE RED BULLS SIDE TO FACE EXETER CHIEFS
NEWCASTLE RED BULLS SIDE TO FACE EXETER CHIEFS
Liam Williams makes his Newcastle Red Bulls debut on Saturday when they make the longest trip of the Gallagher PREM season, travelling 376 miles to take on Exeter Chiefs.
The Wales and Lions international (pictured) starts at full-back in a side showing four changes from the one which took on Saracens last weekend, with the 3pm kick-off being shown live on Discovery+.
Ethan Grayson and Connor Doherty start in the centres, with injury ruling out Sammy Arnold (pectoral) and Max Clark (ribs).
Freddie Clarke makes his first start in the second row having scored from the bench on his debut last time out, with head coach Alan Dickens taking charge of the side for the Sandy Park trip.
He said: “I know the lads will go down to Exeter and do a really professional job.
“We’ve taken on board the learnings from the Saracens game, particularly around the set-piece, and I’m confident we will see a much higher level of performance.
“Exeter battled back for a hard-earned draw at Northampton in the opening round so we know we’re in for a good test, and we’ll certainly have to try and contain their wingers who are capable of big things if we allow them those opportunities.
“But it’s primarily about getting our own stuff right, implementing what we have worked on in the week, and if we do that then I’m confident we’ll be in with a good shout.”
Newcastle Red Bulls team v Exeter Chiefs (Saturday, 3pm, Sandy Park, live on Discovery+)
15 Liam Williams, 14 Oli Spencer, 13 Connor Doherty, 12 Ethan Grayson, 11 Alex Hearle, 10 Brett Connon, 9 James Elliott; 1 Murray McCallum, 2 George McGuigan (captain), 3 Luan de Bruin, 4 Jamie Hodgson, 5 Freddie Clarke, 6 Cameron Neild, 7 Tom Gordon, 8 Amanaki Mafi.
Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Oscar Usher, 20 Fergus Lee-Warner, 21 Jack Dickens, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Elliott Obatoyinbo.
Not available for selection: Sammy Arnold, Eduardo Bello, Simon Benitez Cruz, Tim Cardall, Tom Christie, Max Clark, Stefan Coetzee, Joe Davis, Joel Grayson, Sam Stuart, Christian Wade.
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys.
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