Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears preview: Record crowd for South West derby

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EXETER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Sam Simmonds of Exeter Chiefs celebrates their sides fifth try with team mates Tom O'Flaherty, Stuart Hogg and Alec Hepburn during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Worcester Warriors at Sandy Park on October 09, 2021 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

A sold-out record-breaking crowd at Sandy Park will play host to ' encounter with on New Year's Day at 4:30 PM.   

The match sees the opening of the new multi-million-pound East Stand for the first time meaning an unprecedented crowd for Saturday's mouth-watering South West clash.   

Exeter come into the game in an underwhelming sixth place on 28 points after 10 games but secured a huge 18-15 victory over last time out in the , which secured back-to-back wins.   

's side were on a bye week last weekend, but Chiefs fans enjoyed great news off the field when it was announced that their star full back Stuart Hogg had signed a new contract.   

Hogg said: “I'm thoroughly enjoying my this season and I wanted to put all the rumours that I was leaving to bed and concentrate on playing.   

“I wanted to come down to Exeter to be the best version of myself on and off the pitch and I've thoroughly enjoyed it, learning new things every day, and playing for one of the best clubs in Europe.   

“I have an obsession with winning trophies, and I believe at Exeter Chiefs we can do exactly that.”  

Team news

Rob Baxter has made two changes from the defeat to Warriors in the with Ollie Devoto and Sam Skinner replacing Ian Whitten and Jonny Gray.   

To everyone's surprise, have endured a dismal campaign lying in 12th with just 15 points.   

Pat Lam's side were involved in arguably the game of the season so far last weekend, losing to Leicester Tigers 28-26, courtesy of Guy Porter's dramatic 84th minute winner.   

Luke Morahan comes in for Toby Fricker, Fitz Harding starts at 6 in place of Steven Luatua, Sam Jeffries is replaced by Dan Thomas and Nathan Hughes returns at No.8.   

Bears captain Joe Joyce said: “Our games against Chiefs have been really close and usually decided late on, so we're excited to go down there on Saturday.”   

Surprisingly, the last four fixtures between the two clubs in the Premiership have gone the way of the away side, whilst the Bears have won on their last three visits to Sandy Park in all competitions.   

The two teams last met in the Premiership back in April, with the Chiefs victorious at Ashton Gate 20-12.  

This Sunday, The Rugby Paper will bring you the best reaction and reports from Saturday's fixtures.

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