Exeter Chiefs begin their PREM Rugby Cup season this weekend against Bristol Bears at Sandy Park, with kick-off set for 15:00 BST. It is one of four round-two fixtures and arrives after the opening weekend of the campaign took place last weekend.
The match has a clear early-season significance for Exeter Chiefs because they did not feature in round one. Newcastle Red Bulls were also absent last weekend, while high-scoring Saracens and Bath have bye weeks this weekend. That leaves Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears as one of the key two-side matchups in round two, with both clubs now starting their cup campaign.
Match details
The game will be played at Sandy Park and will be refereed by Henry Pearson. Those are the headline details confirmed for the fixture, which gives supporters a fixed time, venue and official as the PREM Rugby Cup schedule moves into round two.
For Exeter Chiefs, the timing matters because this is the first chance to get a result in the competition. For Bristol Bears, it is an immediate opportunity to build momentum in what should be a useful early test. With the opening round already complete, the focus now shifts to how teams handle their first appearance in the tournament and how quickly they can settle into the rhythm of the competition.
There is still plenty of rugby to come in round two, but Exeter Chiefs versus Bristol Bears is a straightforward marker for the weekend: a named venue, a confirmed kick-off time and an official appointment, all in place for a match that opens Exeter's cup season.
