LONDON (UK) – Jack Nowell, England’s wing, has been certified fit to start for Exeter Chiefs for the European Champions Cup final against French side Racing 92 on Saturday.
Nowell missed last week’s Premiership semi-final win over Bath with a foot injury but was passed fit on Friday and will start on the right wing. Tom O’Flaherty is on the left, with Olly Woodburn, who played against Bath, missing out as he is dropped from the matchday 23.
Ian Whitten starts at inside centre, with Ollie Devoto moving to the bench.
Exeter are in the final for the first time and are seeking a double as they play Wasps in next week’s Premiership final.
“If it looks like the guys are cool, calm and collected, it’s because we feel we are getting our preparation right,” Exeter coach Rob Baxter said this week.
“We are not running around with big smiles on our faces being silly because we have got to the European Cup final for the first time, we are locking down into what it will take to win it.
“How do we get tactically and technically prepared? How do we get physically right? And then in the last few days, it’s about how we recharge those emotional batteries to be ready to go on Saturday.”
Racing, seeking their first European title after two final defeats, have also been able to name their full-strength side after nine positive COVID tests in their camp last week forced the players to train in small groups.
The squad trained on the island of Corsica this week and have all now returned negative tests.
“Last weekend it was a little bit disrupted and this week it’s not been perfect,” said flyhalf Finn Russell.
“It’s not been ideal but this year there are going to be a lot of weeks like this and it’s how you are able to adapt to these situations.”