Rugby:A number of Irish players will be in action in the English Premiership A League semi-final between the Exeter Braves (Chiefs, second team) and the Leicester Tigers Development XV at Sandy Park tonight.
Former Ireland underage international and Leinster academy player Niall Morris returns from injury to start at fullback with the Tigers match squad also containing ex-Clongowes schoolboy Stephen Macauley. Exeter have named former Ulster academy and Harlequins prop John Andress at tighthead.
Tigers, winners of the ‘A’ League title for the last two seasons, finished second in the Northern Conference, winning four of their five fixtures, while Exeter Braves won all six of their fixtures to finish top of the Southern Conference. Northampton Wanderers and Harlequins contest the other semi-final at Franklin’s Gardens tonight with the final to be played next Monday.
Leicester Tigers Development:
N Morris; G Catchpole, E Rolston, A Symons, A Lewington; G Ford, J Grindal; L Mulipola, J Stevens, R Bower; C Green, G Kitchener; B Pienaar (capt), T Armes, E Slater. Replacements: H Thacker, J Harris, F Balmain, J Cain, R de Carpentier, M Young, J Pohe, S Macauley.
Exeter Braves:
L Arscott; J Arnott, N Sestaret, S Hill, M Foster; M Dorrian, P Phibbs; C Budgen, S Alcott, J Andress; C Bentley, C Slade; D Ewers, B White, J Phillips. Replacements: J Vickers, L Cowan-Dickie, L Fairbrother, A Muldowney, H Stupple, J Poluleuligaga, H Slade, C Crane.
