Match Preview | Exeter Chiefs | A

• 11 Jan 2024

It’s the first fixture of 2024 for Glasgow Warriors men, as we head to Sandy Park to face Exeter Chiefs in round three of the Investec Champions Cup.

Exeter’s games against Toulon and Munster see them sitting in third place in the pool, which is one ahead of Glasgow who sit in fourth.  Their game against Toulon saw them win by a single point but the Sandy Park side won 32-24 over a visiting Munster.

Glasgow Warriors lost their opening game at home to Northampton who are currently leading the pool.  The Glasgow side then won by a single point against Bayonnais.  The game which saw Ally Miller score his debut Glasgow try with a break down the wing.

Glasgow and Exeter have played each other a number of times, the previous meeting in January 2022, saw Exeter win 52-17. Despite an early penalty kick from Ross Thompson, that saw Glasgow take an early lead, Exeter were in front by four at half time.  The second half saw the Chiefs storm ahead to claim the massive win.

Given all the changes in both teams since the last meeting and the form of the teams in recent months, it’s hard to predict which way the game will go.  It is however, easy to predict that the game will be full of action and drama from both sides.

Both teams have players who pose potential threats to the opposition.  For Exeter, Henry Slade is not only a key player maker in the centre of the park, but his kicking game has also been on form recently which helps the side capitalise on point scoring opportunities.

Back-rower Jaques Vermeulen and scrum-half Stu Townsend have both been on the score sheet for tries in recent matches, which highlight the ability to score tries across the park.

For Glasgow, hooker, Johnny Matthews will continue to pose a threat to any opposition as a try scorer, not only off the back of a lineout maul, but through open play too.  Sione Tuipulotu has been key in Glasgow attack while Josh McKay has been consistently performing at full-back in recent weeks.

In terms of statistics according to the Investec Champions Cup website, Glasgow looks like the stronger team across many of the attack and defence stats.  While Exeter lead across the all-important scoring statistics.

When it comes to set pieces, Glasgow lead 24 to 17 on lineouts won, whereas Exeter leads 74% to 69% in lineout success.

The statistics show that the game on Saturday is going to be a very close and tough battle for both teams, with both as eager as ever to take the win and the points to progress closer to the next round of the competition.