Exeter Chiefs
Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs
By thechiefstribe.com
October 23 2026
TEAMS, MATCH INFORMATION, PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD AND SCORE PREDICTIONS
Saturday 24 October 2026 at 1730 at Ashton Gate
Please post your score predictions in this thread showing Chiefs score first
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Discussion started by thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged), 23/10/2026 07:21
23/10/2026 07:21
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Predicted Weather Forecast
Gusty winds and heavy rain from the south west
Temperature feels like 14 degrees
High chance of Precipitation
TV Coverage
Channel 408 TNT Sports 1 SD 1730 - 1945
Channel 430 TNT Sports 1 HD 1730 – 1945
Also available on HBO Max
Match Officials
Referee: Karl Dickson
ARs: Sara Cox and Richard Gordon
TMO: Dan Jones
Gusty winds and heavy rain from the south west
Temperature feels like 14 degrees
High chance of Precipitation
TV Coverage
Channel 408 TNT Sports 1 SD 1730 - 1945
Channel 430 TNT Sports 1 HD 1730 – 1945
Also available on HBO Max
Match Officials
Referee: Karl Dickson
ARs: Sara Cox and Richard Gordon
TMO: Dan Jones
Exeter Chiefs:
15 Olly Woodburn
14 Zack Wimbush
13 Henry Slade
12 Will Butt
11 Ben Hammersley
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Sam Wolstenholme
1 Nika Abuladze
2 Jack Yeandle
3 Josh Iosefa-Scott
4 Tom Hooper
5 Dafydd Jenkins (c)
6 Ethan Roots
7 Ross Vintcent
8 Greg Fisilau
Replacements:
16 Max Norey
17 Ethan Burger
18 Jimmy Roots
19 Harry Wilson
20 Kane James
21 Stephen Varney
22 Will Haydon-Wood
23 Sam Harris
15 Olly Woodburn
14 Zack Wimbush
13 Henry Slade
12 Will Butt
11 Ben Hammersley
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Sam Wolstenholme
1 Nika Abuladze
2 Jack Yeandle
3 Josh Iosefa-Scott
4 Tom Hooper
5 Dafydd Jenkins (c)
6 Ethan Roots
7 Ross Vintcent
8 Greg Fisilau
Replacements:
16 Max Norey
17 Ethan Burger
18 Jimmy Roots
19 Harry Wilson
20 Kane James
21 Stephen Varney
22 Will Haydon-Wood
23 Sam Harris
Bristol Bears
15. Tom Jordan
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
13. Matias Moroni
12. James Williams
11. Gabriel Ibitoye
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Harry Randall
1. Ellis Genge
2. Tomas Gwilliam
3. Lovejoy Chawatama
4. Pedro Rubiolo
5. Joe Batley
6. Steven Luatua
7. Fitz Harding (c)
8. Benjamin Grondona
System players:
16. Sol Moody
17. Jake Woolmore
18. Jimmy Halliwell
19. Josh Caulfield
20. Joe Owen
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Jack Bates
23. Luka Ivanishvili
15. Tom Jordan
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
13. Matias Moroni
12. James Williams
11. Gabriel Ibitoye
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Harry Randall
1. Ellis Genge
2. Tomas Gwilliam
3. Lovejoy Chawatama
4. Pedro Rubiolo
5. Joe Batley
6. Steven Luatua
7. Fitz Harding (c)
8. Benjamin Grondona
System players:
16. Sol Moody
17. Jake Woolmore
18. Jimmy Halliwell
19. Josh Caulfield
20. Joe Owen
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Jack Bates
23. Luka Ivanishvili
Given short turnaround and Bristol rested all their players last week a tough ask and a home win for me. By how much depends on the weather. Would have started Harris over Hammersley on the wing. Bristol 40 Chiefs 24
Hammersley facing off against Rees-Zammit - not feeling hopeful! The conditions are forecast to be atrocious with heavy rain and 44mph winds. I recall a women’s game at Ashton Gate a while back being cancelled on safety grounds because of similar conditions.
If the game goes ahead, it’ll all come down to how smart we are - games against Bristol over the last couple of years have been characterised by dumb decision-making and woeful defensive lapses. Nevertheless, I shall go with my normal prediction:
Chiefs 31; Bristol 26
If the game goes ahead, it’ll all come down to how smart we are - games against Bristol over the last couple of years have been characterised by dumb decision-making and woeful defensive lapses. Nevertheless, I shall go with my normal prediction:
Chiefs 31; Bristol 26
Good to see Norey back, hope Gully is not out for long. Pack start to look good
I find this impossible to call for a number of reasons including the inconsistency of both teams so far this season. The weather will be a huge factor given the forecast, so I’m going for a low scoring affair
Bears 17 Chiefs 10
Bears 17 Chiefs 10
I think this will be a dire watch if forecast is correct so:
Bristol 19 - 16 Exeter
Bristol 19 - 16 Exeter
it looks like it will come down to which team is better at “ up the jumper “ rugby. I would normally back us but Briz have shown resourcefulness against us previously. SO Bristol by 5.
On another point, should we lose it will make a pretty dismal start to the season with the only victories to date ( including friendlies) being the Prem Cup v Briz and NRB in the Prem.
On another point, should we lose it will make a pretty dismal start to the season with the only victories to date ( including friendlies) being the Prem Cup v Briz and NRB in the Prem.
Quote:mommentum
Good to see Norey back, hope Gully is not out for long. Pack start to look good
Is Gulley injured, or is Yeandle just Undroppable for reasons?
Pleased to see Norey back available.
Hammersley seems to do better on the wing than anywhere else, holding Harris back for the bench makes sense. I doubt Woody will play the whole game, so Harris from the bench is a good shout.
For me, the biggest concern is how well we have recovered from Sunday. That's a strong Bristol team. I think they'll edge it...
Bristol 26 Chiefs 20
How is Yendal starting again. Regardless Im thinking we will cope with the weathwr better in a low scoring match given the 2 teams.
Bears 20 Chiefs 24
Bears 20 Chiefs 24
The big question is how much did last Sunday take out of us?
A 6 day turnaround for us, traveling to and from the south of France and the majority of that Bristol squad well rested and fresh having been given last weekend off rested up for this match.
I hope that the weather will be a leveller in that respect so could work in our favour?
One thing that will be vitally important you feel in these weather conditions will be kicking so hopefully Henry and or Harvey have their kicking boots on.
My biggest concern is the Bristol maul and how we defend it.....
Hoping for a narrow win 🤞
A 6 day turnaround for us, traveling to and from the south of France and the majority of that Bristol squad well rested and fresh having been given last weekend off rested up for this match.
I hope that the weather will be a leveller in that respect so could work in our favour?
One thing that will be vitally important you feel in these weather conditions will be kicking so hopefully Henry and or Harvey have their kicking boots on.
My biggest concern is the Bristol maul and how we defend it.....
Hoping for a narrow win 🤞
[quote ExeterFan][quote mommentum]Good to see Norey back, hope Gully is not out for long. Pack start to look good[/quote]
Is Gulley injured, or is Yeandle just Undroppable for reasons?
Yeandle had to come back on the pitch to replace Gully last week, even with a sort ankle in scoring his try.
Bristol 10 Chiefs 3
Is Gulley injured, or is Yeandle just Undroppable for reasons?
Yeandle had to come back on the pitch to replace Gully last week, even with a sort ankle in scoring his try.
Bristol 10 Chiefs 3
The wet slippery ball tomorrow will be the deciding factor.
Keeping the faith Chiefs 19- 17 Bears
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:23:20:16:42 by Scottish Chief .
Keeping the faith Chiefs 19- 17 Bears
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:23:20:16:42 by Scottish Chief .
Id really like to see Hammersley have a blinder this weekend. Ive been quite critical of him over the last couple ofyears, but every once in a while he has an excellent game. It would do his confidence wonders if this is one of them. Hes going to feature a fair bit throughout the season and it does look as if some of his frailties are in his head.
The coaches obviously have faith in him so i really hope that he reaches the potential that he obviously has.
The coaches obviously have faith in him so i really hope that he reaches the potential that he obviously has.
I have no real reason why, but I have a little optimism for this one. Its going to be close, but I think we'll edge it.
Chiefs 23 : Briz 21
In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.
Chiefs 23 : Briz 21
In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.
I fear with a six day turnaround, Yenz's darts, Hammersley on the wing, and the weather this may be a painful experience Bristol37 Chiefs 17
We were almost all very wrong last week so I’m going optimistic. Anyone know what’s happening with Tchumbadze? But good to see his fellow Georgian back and starting, as well as a recovered Woody
Weather forecast looks truly awful, very strong wind and torrential rain. similar conditions to those at SP in January for the worst game I’ve seen when Bristol won 8 - 3, will it turn into another kicking fest? Trust me to choose today for my first trip to Ashton Gate😬
Chiefs. 18 Bristol 15
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:24:10:19:43 by Ljs399.
Weather forecast looks truly awful, very strong wind and torrential rain. similar conditions to those at SP in January for the worst game I’ve seen when Bristol won 8 - 3, will it turn into another kicking fest? Trust me to choose today for my first trip to Ashton Gate😬
Chiefs. 18 Bristol 15
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:24:10:19:43 by Ljs399.
Looks like the rain will be biblical across the time period of the match
8-9mm/hr ☔️☔️ with 30-35kt gusts Safe journey everyone travelling
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:24:09:54:36 by Scottish Chief .
8-9mm/hr ☔️☔️ with 30-35kt gusts Safe journey everyone travelling
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:24:09:54:36 by Scottish Chief .
Could be a fair few scrums due to the weather, we have a big pack so hopefully we can dominate, get penalties and field position. Good to see Wolstenholme starting, he is a former Bears player and should read the game, plus Varney has played a lot of minutes and could do with a rest, should be a good impact player off the bench.
Chiefs 27 Bears 25.
Chiefs 27 Bears 25.
Yeandle must have some dirt on RB!!! Heaven and Dweba will leave this season why would you want to stay when you get treated like this??
Charlie poynton huge potential to be one of the best wingers leaves first team rugby in oz to play in Cornwall?? I just don’t get it.
Charlie poynton huge potential to be one of the best wingers leaves first team rugby in oz to play in Cornwall?? I just don’t get it.
As others have mentioned, with the weather, its impossible to predict. In an attritional battle i think the rest the majority of the Bris team had last week may well tell. Although, varney plays an awful lot, we don't look the same team without him. With wet conditions and a game thats likely to have a lot if kicking in it, its going to be a busy day for the scrum halves. Regarding hookers, im not sure Dweba has ever really settled, suffering from hone sickness. He may well be off, Heaven has never really had a chance to prove himself or not so again i imagine hes on his way. Obviously the coaches see hiw the players are performing in training, we don't. We just have to trust them.
Chiefs 14 Bears 17 but it could be any result!!
Im actually looking forward to a battle as opposed to a you score we score game
Chiefs 14 Bears 17 but it could be any result!!
Im actually looking forward to a battle as opposed to a you score we score game
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