Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs v Cardiff Rugby
By thechiefstribe.com
January 6 2026
TEAMS, MATCH INFORMATION, PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD AND SCORE PREDICTIONS
Sunday 18 January 2026 at 1.00 p.m. at Sandy Park, Exeter
Please post your score predictions in this thread
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Discussion started by thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged), 16/01/2026 09:51
16/01/2026 09:51
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Exeter Chiefs:
15 Olly Woodburn
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
13 Henry Slade
12 Will Haydon-Wood
11 Paul Brown-Bampoe
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Stephen Varney
1 Scott Sio
2 Joseph Dweba
3 Bachuki Tchumbadze
4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)
5 Andrea Zambonin
6 Tom Hooper
7 Ethan Roots
8 Kane James
Replacements:
16 Julian Heaven
17 Will Goodrick-Clarke
18 Jimmy Roots
19 Rusi Tuima
20 Lewis Pearson
21 Richard Capstick
22 Charlie Chapman
23 Ben Hammersley
15 Olly Woodburn
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
13 Henry Slade
12 Will Haydon-Wood
11 Paul Brown-Bampoe
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Stephen Varney
1 Scott Sio
2 Joseph Dweba
3 Bachuki Tchumbadze
4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)
5 Andrea Zambonin
6 Tom Hooper
7 Ethan Roots
8 Kane James
Replacements:
16 Julian Heaven
17 Will Goodrick-Clarke
18 Jimmy Roots
19 Rusi Tuima
20 Lewis Pearson
21 Richard Capstick
22 Charlie Chapman
23 Ben Hammersley
Cardiff Blues
15 Jacob Beetham;
14 Mason Grady,
13 Cornel Smit,
12 Rory Jennings,
11 Tom Bowen;
10 Ioan Lloyd,
9 Johan Mulder;
1 Danny Southworth,
2 Evan Lloyd,
3 Sam Wainwright,
4 Josh McNally (capt),
5 Rory Thornton,
6 James Botham,
7 Dan Thomas,
8 Taine Basham.
Replacements:
16 Daf Hughes,
17 Corey Domachowski,
18 Keiron Assiratti,
19 George Nott,
20 Alun Lawrence,
21 Tom Cottle,
22 Ieuan Davies,
23 Cam Winnett.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:16:11:52:12 by Lowerwatha.
15 Jacob Beetham;
14 Mason Grady,
13 Cornel Smit,
12 Rory Jennings,
11 Tom Bowen;
10 Ioan Lloyd,
9 Johan Mulder;
1 Danny Southworth,
2 Evan Lloyd,
3 Sam Wainwright,
4 Josh McNally (capt),
5 Rory Thornton,
6 James Botham,
7 Dan Thomas,
8 Taine Basham.
Replacements:
16 Daf Hughes,
17 Corey Domachowski,
18 Keiron Assiratti,
19 George Nott,
20 Alun Lawrence,
21 Tom Cottle,
22 Ieuan Davies,
23 Cam Winnett.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:16:11:52:12 by Lowerwatha.
Match Officials
Referee: Griffin Colby (SA)
ARs: Morne Ferreira (SA) & Christopher Allison (SA)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Referee: Griffin Colby (SA)
ARs: Morne Ferreira (SA) & Christopher Allison (SA)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday
Light rain and a gentle breeze from the east
Temperature 9 degrees will feel like 7 degrees
High Chance of Precipitation
Light rain and a gentle breeze from the east
Temperature 9 degrees will feel like 7 degrees
High Chance of Precipitation
I'll admit I don't know most of the names in their squad, but they have made 10 changes from the side that beat Racing last week. With both sides needing a win to get a home draw in the last 16 this could be an exciting close game. Is Greg being rested? Home advantage and wanting a response to last week should give us the win🤞 Chiefs 32 - 24 Cardiff
Expecting a big response after last week. We have gone strong so hoping for a 5 pointer. Ex 37 Cardiff 25
I’m expecting a win, but I just hope we don’t fall off a cliff like we did last week when Daf and Zambonin were taken off. I’ll go for my usual Chiefs 31; Cardiff 26
My thinking is that there will be more consideration given before swapping out a performing second row this week.
Chiefs 38 Cardiff 19
In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.
Chiefs 38 Cardiff 19
In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.
Last week could cost us quite a loss in potential gate receipts. A big performance with no collapse gives us a chance of a home tie in the next round. Not sure od WH-W at 12 and our bench need to step up Hope for a decent crowd in loud voice. Chiefs 42 Cardiff 24
Real weakness at 12 has WHW ever played there ? and bench offers little quality. Would love to have seen one of the academy England u20 centre’s given a go. Still think we should win this at home though. Chiefs 36 Cardiff 18
Quote:Andy15.1
Real weakness at 12 has WHW ever played there ? and bench offers little quality. Would love to have seen one of the academy England u20 centre’s given a go. Still think we should win this at home though. Chiefs 36 Cardiff 18
Last time he played at 12 was for Falcons against Sale in the 21/22 Prem Cup. Nervous for him as a fan!
Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.
Quote:I think I’m right in saying that, although WH-W is rumoured to be heading off to NRB, nothing has been finalised and it's conceivable that Baxter is trying to tempt him with some game time, presumably on the basis that Will Rigg’s departure is more certain. Cardiff have Rory Jennings at 12. He’s probably much the same size as WH-W, bit he’s phenomenally tough and has a very strong skill set, so I suspect WH-W may have a tough day at the office in a position he’s not used to.StanWilksQuote:Andy15.1
Real weakness at 12 has WHW ever played there ? and bench offers little quality. Would love to have seen one of the academy England u20 centre’s given a go. Still think we should win this at home though. Chiefs 36 Cardiff 18
Last time he played at 12 was for Falcons against Sale in the 21/22 Prem Cup. Nervous for him as a fan!
Hopefully we won’t trip up like last weekend.
Chiefs 29. - 19 Cardiff
Chiefs 29. - 19 Cardiff
The selection of WHW at 12 seems odd to me. Apart from that I think we'll have the edge up front which should see us home. I'm going Chiefs 29 Cardiff 22. Hoping mainly for a positive response to last weeks second half.
Quote:SixNineOneQuote:I think I’m right in saying that, although WH-W is rumoured to be heading off to NRB, nothing has been finalised and it's conceivable that Baxter is trying to tempt him with some game time, presumably on the basis that Will Rigg’s departure is more certain. Cardiff have Rory Jennings at 12. He’s probably much the same size as WH-W, bit he’s phenomenally tough and has a very strong skill set, so I suspect WH-W may have a tough day at the office in a position he’s not used to.StanWilksQuote:Andy15.1
Real weakness at 12 has WHW ever played there ? and bench offers little quality. Would love to have seen one of the academy England u20 centre’s given a go. Still think we should win this at home though. Chiefs 36 Cardiff 18
Last time he played at 12 was for Falcons against Sale in the 21/22 Prem Cup. Nervous for him as a fan!
Really good point. It's been a while since he started two games back to back, and the timing indicates that Baxter is doing all he can to dissuade him from leaving. Will have to ask him before tomorrow's game.
Jennings is a quietly solid player. I remember him putting in an unbelievable try-saving tackle on a Sale forward for London Irish a few seasons ago.
Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:17:13:14:35 by StanWilks.
Chiefs 29 Cardiff 24
Close game I think, both sides only have 3rd in the group to play for, and already through.
Close game I think, both sides only have 3rd in the group to play for, and already through.
Chiefs 27 Cardiff 19 Could be a Cold and wet Sunday game. Wouldn’t be surprised if the scores were lower.
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