Off the back of some inconsistent results of late, Exeter now faces the long away trip toward Birmingham as we face Newport (Salop) RUFC.

Last week saw a tense and tight tussle against a strong Hinckley side who have been defeated just once all year. Despite only a 3-point defeat, it always felt like Exeter was chasing the game, never taking the lead throughout. With the score being 12-29 with 20 minutes to go, 2 tries saw the boys get back within touching distance and potentially steal a victory. However, it was not to be as the Leicestershire outfit went away will 5 points.

With only 3 positions separating us and our opponents today it is bound to be a tight battle. However, the 10-point margin suggests that the league is splitting, with EURFC still only 4 points off 1st place Leicester Lions, despite finding ourselves in 6th position.

Tomorrow’s Opponents
Although Newport RUFC were founded in 1871, their early history was patchy, with only the occasional match against neighboring town Stafford filling the rugby void. It would take until after the war when an ex-soldier from Devon put an ad in the newspaper for anyone wanting to play rugby with very little being offered in the town at the time. 75 years later and the club is still going strong having achieved promotion to the 4th tier last season.

Last season Newport won the Midlands Premier Division, beating out the likes of Sheffield and Syston to the top spot. An impressive run all season ended with just 3 defeats and over 1000 points scored (39 points per game) as they took the title by 13 points. In their first appearance at this level, they’ve had very mixed results, with wins over bottom three sides Barnstaple, Bournville, and Stourbridge. However, a 95-7 loss to Redruth, as well as a narrow defeat to Loughborough recently, puts a big caveat over the season.

Team News
Rich Hodges has made 4 changes in the starting XV for tomorrow’s match. 2 of these come in the front row with Harvey Dunn and Archie Rolls coming in for Ed Holroyd and Tom Gulley both of whom are on the bench. The other alteration in the forwards is Luke Bralsford starting at 7, after his appearance at Sandy Park midweek.

The only change in the back line is at scrum half, with Jake Murray dropping to the bench in place of unused substitute on Wednesday, Niall Armstrong.

The back three have also had a shuffle around, with Tom Tribe moving into fullback and Ed Thomas taking place on the wing.

Getting There
Car: From Exeter follow the M5 and then the M4 towards Birmingham coming off at junction 6 to join the M6 towards Walsall. Then join the M54 at junction 10A and continue along this road until junction 3. Follow the A41 until Forton Road on the left-hand side.