Mike Pope has been rewarded for his second-half showing in the South West Premier bonus-point win over Drybrook with a starting place at Exeter University on Saturday.
The versatile playmaker came on for starting ten Adam Davies after 47 minutes two weeks’ ago in the 34-10 bonus-point success over the Gloucestershire men at Chapel Gate.
Director Of Rugby Will Croker saw enough of him in that half-an-hour cameo performance to reward him with a spot against the university he graduated from.
Croker said: “Mike Pope has come in at fly-half not really for any reason - not really because Adam Davies had done anything wrong per se - we just felt it was a ‘horses for courses’ kind of pick.
“Mike is playing against his old university and has been in really good form recently - coming on and doing a great job for us in our last match against Drybrook - having started on the bench at first.
“So we just felt it was just the right time to bring him in - and alongside Sam Hardcastle in the halfbacks - so it should be a good game.”
In the first meeting between the sides at home at the beginning of November, Croker’s men triumphed 34-15 for their fifth home win out of five and their eighth four-try success of the campaign.
Croker’s side currently hold a 15-point lead over second side Barnstaple at the top going into this weekend - who themselves travel to sixth side Exmouth.
But having had a good look at their opponents that day back in November, Croker is well aware of the threats they will pose to his side as they seek their 20th win out of 21 this season.
Croker added: “Exeter University are a side who always look to attack, and as you would imagine they are a young side and have a very talented back three.
“But we have just got to be ready for the challenge that they are going to throw at us.”

We also have our seconds playing away at Taunton this week in the Zoo Shield kick off 2.15pm and the thirds at home against Puddletown kick off 1430. Here is how the seconds and thirds line up.