With the boys appropriately rested and filled with mince pies over the Christmas break, everybody is back and ready for action. The first match-up of 2023 sees us face familiar foes Loughborough for only the 2nd time in National League rugby ever.

Due to postponements and the festive period it is closing in a month since our last outing in a narrow defeat to top-of-the-table Leicester Lions. Despite tries from Sam Walker, Tom Gulley, and Elliot Young the power of the Lions was too much as they came away with a victory.

Tomorrow’s Opponents
In tomorrow’s game, we will be faced with some familiar faces having played Loughborough so often in recent years in BUCS rugby. This includes our most recent meeting just before Christmas as Exeter ran out 44-28 victory in that one. They have experienced a good time of it so far this season in BUCS Super Rugby, currently sitting at top of the league, however, a slightly less successful mid-table position in National League 2 put them in 8th place.

Despite being invited to play in the initial RFU leagues, they turned it down and instead joined at the bottom of the league system in 1996. They struggled during the early stages due to the introduction of professionalism, eventually making it to National League 2 in 2008. In achieving this they became the first student side to take part in the national leagues, matched only by EURFC in recent years.

Team News
Head coach Rich Hodges has made plenty of changes, as EURFC looks to force through a victory at Millfield School. The front row is comprised of youngster Elliot Young at hooker, Chris Freeman and Millfield alumni Archie Owlett. Exeter Chiefs academy player Joe Bailey is patented in the second row by Josh Cunningham. In the back, row is regular Sat XV captain Josh Throne at 8, with Will de Boehmler and Ross Vintcent on either flank.

In the backs, Jake Murray is this time partnered by Josh Barton in the halfbacks. The centres are made up of 2 Chiefs academy representatives with Archie Hill starting outside Zack Wimbush, the latter having already played twice in the Premiership Rugby Cup this season. BUCS regulars Benjy Joseland and Ben Hammersley are both starting in the back three and are joined by Kitan Ojo.

On the bench, there is plenty of youth with Webb, Gulley, Jon Bailey, James and Searle ready to add any extra spark required.