PRC: Exeter Chiefs v Sale Sharks


By thechiefstribe.com
January 22 2026

TEAMS, MATCH INFORMATION, PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD AND SCORE PREDICTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday 31 January 2026 at 3.00 p.m. at Sandy Park, Exeter

Please post your score predictions in this thread

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PRC: Exeter Chiefs v Sale Sharks
Discussion started by thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged), 29/01/2026 19:30
thechiefstribe.com
thechiefstribe.com
29/01/2026 19:30
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MESSAGES->author
DumnoniiNomad
29/01/2026 21:21
I'm having to miss this game 🙁 I really think we're up for it, so... Chiefs 35: Sale 22

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Shy Ann
Grandstand Viewer
30/01/2026 11:10
Chiefs 31 Sale 12

MESSAGES->author
Lowerwatha
30/01/2026 11:44
Sale Sharks

15. Ollie Davies,
14. Gurswin Wehr,
13. Joe Bedlow,
12. Sam Bedlow,
11. Arron Reed,
10. Tom Curtis,
9. Dom Hanson;
1. Tumy Onasanya,
2. Tadgh McElroy,
3. Patreece Bell
4. Patrick Hogg,
5. Tom Burrow ©,
6. Jacques Vermeulen,
7. Jos Gilmore,
8. Dan du Preez.

Replacements:

16. Ethan Caine,
17. Ralph McEachran,
18. Tye Raymont,
19. Tristan Woodman,
20. Reuben Logan,
21. Nye Thomas,
22. Marius Louw,
23. Albert Bradsha

MESSAGES->author
Lowerwatha
30/01/2026 11:46
Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Paul Brown-Bampoe

13 Ben Hammersley

12 Will Rigg

11 Campbell Ridl

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Tom Cairns

1 Will Goodrick-Clarke

2 Julian Heaven

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Lewis Pearson (c)

5 Rusi Tuima

6 Martin Moloney

7 Finn Worley Brady

8 Richard Capstick

Replacements:

16 Max Norey

17 Khwezi Mona

18 Jimmy Roots

19 Alfie Bell

20 Oscar Beckerleg

21 George Newman

22 Ben Coen

23 Dan John

MESSAGES->author
Lowerwatha
30/01/2026 11:47
Match Officials

Referee: Richard Gordon

Assistant Referees: George Selwood, Calum Howard

TMO: David Rose

MESSAGES->author
Lowerwatha
30/01/2026 11:48
Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday

Light rain showers and a gentle breeze from the south west
Temperature 10 degrees will feel like 9 degrees
Chance of Precipitation

MESSAGES->author
Lowerwatha
30/01/2026 11:49
TV Coverage

Not on TNT but you can watch Leicester/Saints game.

Ljs399
Ljs399
30/01/2026 11:53
Chiefs 32 - 21 Sale

Rowancroft73
Rowancroft73
30/01/2026 12:16
Chiefs 29 Sale 18

Boldeagle
Boldeagle
30/01/2026 12:16
Chiefs 28-24 Sale

Heavitree Chief
ExeterFan
30/01/2026 12:28
Chiefs 23 Sale 18

Good to see some of the youngsters on the bench. I guess giving what are effectively the subs/backup subs for the first XV makes some sense, but in a development competition I'm not sure what message it sends to our youngsters looking to break through when (at least) 3 players who are leaving have been given starts.

Chief Bert
Chief Bert
30/01/2026 12:35
On paper I think we look too strong for them but conditions and lack of game time cohesion might hamper us, however Chiefs 39 - 12 Sharks



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:31:08:29:55 by Chief Bert.

SixNineOne
SixNineOne
30/01/2026 12:52
It looks like both clubs have chosen teams in the spirit of the Prem Cup, but we know that Sale's Gallagher Prem campaign is effectively over, so they may well be gunning for the Prem Cup. I suspect it'll be close.
Chiefs 31; Sale 26

SixNineOne
SixNineOne
30/01/2026 12:59
Also glad to see that the players leaving at the end of the season, Hodge, Tuima & Rigg, have not been ostracised and will be able to make a contribution.

Seaside Chief
Seaside Chief
30/01/2026 13:05
Maybe if we are winning get some of the subs on early? I think Alfie Bell deserves a chance. Also WGClarke must need a rest. He has played a lot of ganes this season already.

ExTeddChief
ExTeddChief
30/01/2026 13:10
Can't make this one as will be the wrong side of the Taimar.

Chiefs 30 Sale 15 off the back of those lineups.

Payback time!

fisher
fisher
30/01/2026 13:48
Exe 36 - 18 Sale but I could be wrong.

Bfatopsham
Not Manichean
30/01/2026 14:11
Interesting that Bax has recalled some of the loan players, but not Wimbush. I dont really want to read anything into that, but I would like to understand the thinking behind it.

There is plenty of talent and skill in our 23, but I just wonder how well it will all combine in practice. Often in fixtures like this, players are keen to make an individual impression and so you get a performance which is a collection of individuals rather than a team.

Butbim eternally optimistic and very much looking forward to hearing how these guys do actually perform. Just disappointed that I can't get to the match and there is no opportunity to watch on TV.

Chiefs 41 Sale 26

Mike the shirt
Mike the shirt
30/01/2026 14:29
Confident about this one:
Exeter 42 - 19 Sale

Del007
Scottish Chief
30/01/2026 14:56
Chiefs 28 - 22 Sale

cornwallchief
cornwallchief
30/01/2026 15:32
Should win this one providing no penalty mania or other meltdowns. Chiefs 29 Sale 19

dwhite805
dwhite805
30/01/2026 18:14
Agree with ExFan. Why is WHW starting and Coen on the bench, similar with Rigg. I just don't get the selection policy, it seems designed to drive young talent away from the club.
Still I'll backbus up Chiefs 27 Sale 22.

Andy15.1
Andy15.1
30/01/2026 19:54
Feel the weather and heavy pitch will keep the scoring low and think home advantage may just tip it our way. Playing no specialist 2nd row worries me for the line out but we have so few options.
Chiefs 19 Sale 17

StanWilks
StanWilks
30/01/2026 20:46
Quote:
dwhite805
Agree with ExFan. Why is WHW starting and Coen on the bench, similar with Rigg. I just don't get the selection policy, it seems designed to drive young talent away from the club.
Still I'll backbus up Chiefs 27 Sale 22.

Because it's all good in Le Haydon-Wood.

Hankey
Hankey
30/01/2026 22:19
Chiefs 45 Sale 15

goss8800
Chief Fire Water
31/01/2026 04:33
Cheifs 17 Sale 21

MESSAGES->author
Lowerwatha
31/01/2026 07:04
Chiefs 33 Sharks 19

thestokecanon
thestokecanon
31/01/2026 08:28
Chiefs 28 - Sale 21

Osmium
Osmium
31/01/2026 09:13
Chiefs 22 - 19 Sale

Big Chief Little Chief
Big Chief Little Chief
31/01/2026 11:01
No problem with the selection of WHW, he's not confirmed as leaving yet and it looks like we are trying to keep him. Maybe would have liked to see others given in chance instead of the leavers. Although, I understand selection in the sense we still want to win.

I think our front row should be too strong for them, and given the wet conditions that should be telling.

I'm going Chiefs 24 Sale 12

Undercroft90
Undercroft90
31/01/2026 11:29
Chiefs 23 - Sharks 18

MESSAGES->author
ouch!_that_hurts
31/01/2026 11:39
Chiefs 26 Sharks 19

Currychief
Currychef
31/01/2026 12:10
Chiefs 35 Sale 19

MESSAGES->author
Bodges with Badgers
31/01/2026 13:05
Similar first 15 to the one that drew away at Racing and they did ok!

MESSAGES->author
ouch!_that_hurts
01/02/2026 13:32
https://i.ibb.co/gbvZty72/m010226.png

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