Saturday will see seven current EURFC players turn out for Exeter Chiefs in the opening round of the Premiership Cup, in a side that will be captained by alumni Sam Maunder.

BUCS Super Rugby players Arthur Relton, Dan John, Oli Burrows and Dafydd Jenkins all start for the Chiefs, with Archie Hosking, Josh Barton and fellow club member Tom Cairns all poised to make an impact off the bench.

For Relton, Jenkins, Hosking, Cairns and Barton, it will mark their first involvements in a competitive Exeter Chiefs matchday squad, as the Chiefs take on Bristol Bears with a youthful feel to their selection.

Flyhalf Barton has impressed for the BSR side this season, and is currently EURFC’s top scorer, with 64 points, whilst Relton has scored 4 tries in 6 matches for the university.

John, Burrows and Jenkins have all put in huge performances for the BUCS Super Rugby side this season, as they have translated their Welsh U20s form into the university set-up and will be looking to push on again in a Chiefs shirt.

Meanwhile Hosking scored his first try of the season in the West-Country Derby against Bath University, whilst has shown his potential in his first year in the university system.

Scrumhalf and alumni Sam Maunder will captain the side, having been dual-registered with Taunton in National 1 this season.

Ricky Pellow insists there is a real ‘air of excitement’ amongst the group, as he once again assumes the head coach role for the competition.

“Having those links with clubs like Plymouth, Pirates, Taunton, as well as the University, it’s a massive tool for us in helping a player and their development,” explained Pellow. “For a lot of them, it’s been tough because there has been no A League or no Prem Cup, so coming back this weekend I think they are all looking forward to what they can offer.”

Speaking on the inclusion of the EURFC members in the side, Director of Rugby Keith Fleming was thrilled to see the university pathway offering a credible opportunity for players to transition into professional rugby.

“We’re obviously delighted to see all the boys named in the Exeter Chiefs squad for tomorrow afternoon. For a number of them, it will be their first experience of pulling on a Chiefs shirt and that opportunity will be invaluable for them in their rugby development,” he explained.

“For us as a university club, to see all of those players turning out at Sandy Park is fantastic and will also be crucial for us as a squad moving forward, as they bring those learnings back into the club.”