Rob rotates his squad for Newport tie

ROB Baxter has taken the opportunity to utilise his squad in the British & Irish Cup.

Six players feature for the first time this season in tonight's game at Newport, with four of them set for their first team debut.

Herbie Stupple is handed his first start at No. 8, with prop Jack Andrew and back-rowers Lewis Calder and Dave Ewers waiting for their chance from the bench.

Former captain Sam Blythe is also a replacement after recovering from a bicep injury and Toby Freeman gets his chance after a brief stint at Birmingham & Solihull.

Baxter has made 13 changes to the starting line-up, with only Sean Marsden and James Hanks starting in the jerseys they wore against the Cornish Pirates.

Paul McKenzie shifts from the centre to the wing, while two players get their first start of the season — Andy Miller at openside and Ben Moon at loosehead.

Saul Nelson and Ruaidhri Murphy complete the front row, with Sean Tomes at lock and Alan Miller on the blindside.

Clive Stuart-Smith and Danny Gray are a familiar half-back pairing, with Tom Bedford and Bryan Rennie providing the power in the centre and Nic Sestaret on the flank.

Baxter is looking forward to seeing what academy members Andrew and Ewers — and Redruth flanker Calder — can do in a game.

Calder, son and nephew of former Scotland and Lions stars Jim and Finlay respectively, is on loan for the weekend.

"Lewis has been training with us, we like the look of him and we want to see what he can do in an Exeter shirt," said Baxter.

"He's played some Scottish under-20s rugby. He's got a decent bit of pedigree."