Bristol coach praises Exeter counterpart and former teammateLions places also on line as champions return to Ashton GateWhen Exeter last visited Ashton Gate they returned down the M5 as the new champions of Europe. No silverware is at stake this time but victory against the current Premiership leaders, Bristol, beneath the Friday night lights would serve as a warning to all that they will not relinquish their domestic crown without a fight.
With every chance of the same two clubs meeting in the first all-West Country Twickenham finale since Bath played Gloucester in the Pilkington Cup final in 1990, the fixture has also been firmly on Exeter’s radar since their 20-7 defeat against the Bears at Sandy Park in January. Add in the presence of the
British &
Irish Lions coaches Warren Gatland and Neil Jenkins, monitoring Jack Nowell’s first start since last October among other things, and there is plenty on the line.