Exeter, Bristol confirm team changes for Friday's Aviva Premiership game

Bristol will hope to revive their Aviva Premiership campaign when they take on Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on Friday. Here are the team changes confirmed by both the sides ahead of the crucial encounter.

Bristol (12) v Exeter (7)

Bristol rugby director Andy Robinson has made wholesale changes in the pack as his team strive to avoid suffering a fourth successive Premiership defeat.

While the back division remains unchanged following last weekend's demolition by Wasps, Robinson hands starts to Kyle Traynor, Gaston Cortes, James Phillips, Mark Sorenson, Jon Fisher and Jordan Crane.

Exeter boss Rob Baxter has made four changes - three of them up-front - following last Saturday's win against Harlequins.

Prop Alec Hepburn replaces Ben Moon, lock Mitch Lees takes over from Geoff Parling, flanker Dave Dennis makes his first Chiefs start instead of an injured Don Armand, and there is an opportunity in midfield for Sam Hill.

The last time these two teams met was six years back in the two-legged RFU Championship final which Exeter won 2-0 to gain promotion to the Aviva Premiership.

Exeter Chiefs are placed seventh in the table with one wins from three games while Bristol are languishing at the bottom of the table after losing all the three games of this season.