Explosive start to Chiefs Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign

Exeter Chiefs put in a sparkling display to kick-off their Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign with a bang.

Ricky Pellow's side were all fired up on their way to a seven-try success against visiting Northampton Saints in this Round One opener at Sandy Park.

Summer signings Toby Salmon (2), James Freeman and Tom O'Flaherty were all on the mark for Devon's finest, as were James Short, Alec Hepburn and Elvis Taione.

Fly-half Joe Simmonds completed the job by converting four of the scores to give the Chiefs the perfect start to this season's tournament.

In reply, the Saints - who were second-best for large parts of the contest - claimed a losing bonus point through converted tries from George Furbank, Tom Stephenson, Juan-Pablo Estelles and Rory Hutchinson, but they were the only bright spots on a tough day at the office for Jim Mallinder's side, who have now lost five games on the spin.

After some hefty exertions in both the Premiership and Europe in recent weeks, it was a much changed Chiefs side that took to the field for this opening fixture of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Indeed, just two of Exeter’s starting line-up - Short and Ollie Atkins - remained in place from the side which had won at Sale Sharks the last time out. Otherwise, it was a much-changed team with the Devonians handing first starts to James Freeman in the pack and Tom O’Flaherty and Sal M’Boge in the back division.

The Saints, meanwhile, also mixed things up, choosing to go with a healthy mix of youth and experience, which included the likes of Christian Day, Tom Wood and record points-scorer Stephen Myler at fly-half.

For the full match report go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-43-saints-28