Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears
By thechiefstribe.com
January 22 2026
TEAMS, MATCH INFORMATION, PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD AND SCORE PREDICTIONS
Saturday 24 January 2026 at 3.00 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), 23/01/2026 09:59
23/01/2026 09:59
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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 Charlie Chapman
1 Scott Sio
2 Joseph Dweba
3 Bachuki Tchumbadze
4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)
5 Andrea Zambonin
6 Tom Hooper
7 Ethan Roots
8 Greg Fisilau
Replacements:
16 Jack Yeandle
17 Will Goodrick-Clarke
18 Jimmy Roots
19 Lewis Pearson
20 Richard Capstick
21 Tom Cairns
22 Ben Hammersley
23 Campbell Ridl
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:23:11:45:45 by Lowerwatha.
15 Olly Woodburn
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
13 Henry Slade
12 Will Haydon-Wood
11 Paul Brown-Bampoe
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Charlie Chapman
1 Scott Sio
2 Joseph Dweba
3 Bachuki Tchumbadze
4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)
5 Andrea Zambonin
6 Tom Hooper
7 Ethan Roots
8 Greg Fisilau
Replacements:
16 Jack Yeandle
17 Will Goodrick-Clarke
18 Jimmy Roots
19 Lewis Pearson
20 Richard Capstick
21 Tom Cairns
22 Ben Hammersley
23 Campbell Ridl
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:23:11:45:45 by Lowerwatha.
Apologies, in my haste to post picked the wrong Bristol post.
15. Louis Rees-Zammit (10 apps),
14. Noah Heward (35 apps),
13. Matias Moroni (6 apps),
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (63 apps),
11. Kalaveti Ravouvou (45 apps),
10. Tom Jordan (12 apps),
9. Harry Randall (153 apps);
1. Ellis Genge (70 apps),
2. Gabriel Oghre (56 apps),
3. George Kloska (75 apps),
4. Pedro Rubiolo (13 apps),
5. Joe Batley (88 apps),
6. Steven Luatua (156 apps),
7. Fitz Harding (c) (111 apps),
8. Viliame Mata (29 apps).
System players:
16. Harry Thacker (148 apps),
17. Max Lahiff (118 apps),
18. Jimmy Halliwell (20 apps),
19. Joe Owen (51 apps),
20. Santiago Grondona (25 apps),
21. Kieran Marmion (65 apps),
22. James Williams (65 apps),
23. Gabriel Ibitoye (61 apps).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:23:12:22:36 by Lowerwatha.
15. Louis Rees-Zammit (10 apps),
14. Noah Heward (35 apps),
13. Matias Moroni (6 apps),
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (63 apps),
11. Kalaveti Ravouvou (45 apps),
10. Tom Jordan (12 apps),
9. Harry Randall (153 apps);
1. Ellis Genge (70 apps),
2. Gabriel Oghre (56 apps),
3. George Kloska (75 apps),
4. Pedro Rubiolo (13 apps),
5. Joe Batley (88 apps),
6. Steven Luatua (156 apps),
7. Fitz Harding (c) (111 apps),
8. Viliame Mata (29 apps).
System players:
16. Harry Thacker (148 apps),
17. Max Lahiff (118 apps),
18. Jimmy Halliwell (20 apps),
19. Joe Owen (51 apps),
20. Santiago Grondona (25 apps),
21. Kieran Marmion (65 apps),
22. James Williams (65 apps),
23. Gabriel Ibitoye (61 apps).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:23:12:22:36 by Lowerwatha.
Match Officials
Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant Referees: Sara Cox & Greg Macdonald
TMO: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant Referees: Sara Cox & Greg Macdonald
TMO: Craig Maxwell-Keys
TV Coverage
Channel 450 TNT Sports 5 SD from 1445 to 1700
Channel 458 TNT Sports 5 HD from 1445 to 1700
Also available on Discovery +
Channel 450 TNT Sports 5 SD from 1445 to 1700
Channel 458 TNT Sports 5 HD from 1445 to 1700
Also available on Discovery +
Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday
Light rain and a fresh breeze from the south south east
Temperature 9 degrees will feel like 6 degrees
High Chance of Precipitation
Light rain and a fresh breeze from the south south east
Temperature 9 degrees will feel like 6 degrees
High Chance of Precipitation
Thanks Lowerwatha
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:23:16:36:14 by Currychef.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:23:16:36:14 by Currychef.
A lot of front line names missing from the Bristol line up, including (thankfully) Ibitoye, J v Rensburg, Ravouvou and Genge. I’m hoping our lads will see it as payback time and put in a big shift. I shall go for my usual: Chiefs 31; Bristol 26
Chiefs 25- 30 Bears
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:23:11:58:22 by Boldeagle.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:23:11:58:22 by Boldeagle.
The actual Bristol team:
15. Louis Rees-Zammit (10 apps),
14. Noah Heward (35 apps),
13. Matias Moroni (6 apps),
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (63 apps),
11. Kalaveti Ravouvou (45 apps),
10. Tom Jordan (12 apps),
9. Harry Randall (153 apps);
1. Ellis Genge (70 apps),
2. Gabriel Oghre (56 apps),
3. George Kloska (75 apps),
4. Pedro Rubiolo (13 apps),
5. Joe Batley (88 apps),
6. Steven Luatua (156 apps),
7. Fitz Harding (c) (111 apps),
8. Viliame Mata (29 apps).
System players: 16. Harry Thacker (148 apps), 17. Max Lahiff (118 apps), 18. Jimmy Halliwell (20 apps), 19. Joe Owen (51 apps), 20. Santiago Grondona (25 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (65 apps), 22. James Williams (65 apps), 23. Gabriel Ibitoye (61 apps).
15. Louis Rees-Zammit (10 apps),
14. Noah Heward (35 apps),
13. Matias Moroni (6 apps),
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (63 apps),
11. Kalaveti Ravouvou (45 apps),
10. Tom Jordan (12 apps),
9. Harry Randall (153 apps);
1. Ellis Genge (70 apps),
2. Gabriel Oghre (56 apps),
3. George Kloska (75 apps),
4. Pedro Rubiolo (13 apps),
5. Joe Batley (88 apps),
6. Steven Luatua (156 apps),
7. Fitz Harding (c) (111 apps),
8. Viliame Mata (29 apps).
System players: 16. Harry Thacker (148 apps), 17. Max Lahiff (118 apps), 18. Jimmy Halliwell (20 apps), 19. Joe Owen (51 apps), 20. Santiago Grondona (25 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (65 apps), 22. James Williams (65 apps), 23. Gabriel Ibitoye (61 apps).
Quote:Having now checked the Bristol website it looks like they’re putting out a somewhat stronger team that originally suggested. Nevertheless, I think it’s still payback time, so I’ll stick with my original prediction: Chiefs 31; Bristol 26SixNineOne
A lot of front line names missing from the Bristol line up, including (thankfully) Ibitoye, J v Rensburg, Ravouvou and Genge. I’m hoping our lads will see it as payback time and put in a big shift. I shall go for my usual: Chiefs 31; Bristol 26
Hope you go well against Bristol! Have always liked Exeter and I’m rooting for you to get top 4 this year. It’s good to see WHW regularly starting these days.
On Tuima, Rigg and Hodge are they all injured or out of favour? Or a mixture of both?
On Tuima, Rigg and Hodge are they all injured or out of favour? Or a mixture of both?
I think that we'll miss Varney. Im sure that rhe weather will damp things down, but there should still be a fair few tries. Hopefully a TBP anyway.
I think that it will be close. Chiefs 31 Bris 29
I think that it will be close. Chiefs 31 Bris 29
Weather looks like having a huge impact on style of play tomorrow with wet and windy conditions. I suppose down to who makes the least mistakes and likely to be a forward based game from us. Think our 12 channel will be targeted as playing without a recognised inside centre is a big risk both attack and particularly defence. If our forwards can play to recent levels we have a real chance, thought J O-S may have been back for the bench as he was warming up last week. Could go either way chiefs 24 Briz 21. Fingers crossed Dickson does not impact the game result and best team wins on the day. Like all teams our injury list keeps growing but just have to manage it as best we can.
A very tough match to predict They have a very strong looking team and on paper I have them as favourites -- although the bookmakers do not. Like NM I think we will really miss Varney and I hope Chapman lasts the 80 minutes. Win this and I think we will be in the top four at the end of the season. Heart over head Chiefs 23 Bristol 20. Whoever concedes the fewest penalties and has the best tactical kicking likely to win.
Chiefs 27 - 24 Bears
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:24:10:32:52 by Chief Bert.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:24:10:32:52 by Chief Bert.
Chiefs 28 Bears 14
In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.
In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.
Hope we can put in an 80 minute shift this week. If we do and the wind isn't like today. Chiefs 35 Bears 27.
I'm afraid I'm going to be Mr negative! I feel we would need our absolute A side out to beat an in form Briz. BVR running at WHW does not fill me with confidence. We will really miss Len in this game. The same with Varney, Chapman looks ok but Varney really has beef one of the most consistent players this year. I also feel they have the edge on the bench, to me our strength in depth is not yet good enough to really challenge.
I really hope I'm proved massively wrong and look like an idiot tomorrow but I'm going Chiefs 19 Briz 31
I really hope I'm proved massively wrong and look like an idiot tomorrow but I'm going Chiefs 19 Briz 31
While being very respectful of Bristol, especially with them being a bit of a bogey side for us recently,I am confident that the conditions will favour us.
I would be less confident in dry conditions but I can now have confidence in our scrum with could be the deciding factor either way today in the wet weather.
Hopefully our line out functions well as that would be my biggest concern 🤞
I would be less confident in dry conditions but I can now have confidence in our scrum with could be the deciding factor either way today in the wet weather.
Hopefully our line out functions well as that would be my biggest concern 🤞
Chiefs 27 Bristol 23 but it’s going to be down to who handles the weather best.
If the weather in Exeter is anything like it is here, I don't see a particularly high scoring game but I think it gives Chiefs a bit of an advantage
Chiefs 22 Bears 15
Chiefs 22 Bears 15
Surprised we haven’t gone 6-2 on the bench for this weather. Looks like it will be a game for the pack.
Hands up!
Im not sure how much further wrong I could be in my prediction.
And I shan't be watching the highlights!
Im not sure how much further wrong I could be in my prediction.
And I shan't be watching the highlights!
Quote:Not Manichean
Hands up!
Im not sure how much further wrong I could be in my prediction.
And I shan't be watching the highlights!
There are no highlights
Quote:Midlands_chiefQuote:Not Manichean
Hands up!
Im not sure how much further wrong I could be in my prediction.
And I shan't be watching the highlights!
There are no highlights
The only highlights in my opinion would have involved Fisilau, who for my money, was our MOTM (sic) and made meters with each carry.
In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.
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