Full Strength Side Set for Exeter

Glenn Delaney will have a near full-strength squad going into Sunday's opening play-off clash against bitter rivals Exeter Chiefs.

A luxury the Green & Whites have not afforded for so much of the season, Delaney is delighted to be able to field his form side against the pool favourites.

Former England centre Ben Johnston will make his first start in six weeks after making a brief return to action against Coventry last weekend.

Delaney said: "We have a very young back line at the moment and he brings that experience some of other guys don't have yet. He has played in a Premiership environment and over in France at the top level plus a couple of England caps so he has a lot to call on.

"The youngsters have done really well over the past few weeks but in big games like Sunday's I think you need that experienced head out there.

"In the forwards you've got guys like Craig Hammond and Nic Rouse to lead some of the younger guys but in some of the games this season Andy Savage has been our oldest back out there at 23.

"We now have David Jackson back and available for selection as well as Johnno so there are now a couple of older heads to control the game and unlock the potential of some of the guys around them."

Elsewhere, Ed Slater makes his starting debut for the Green & Whites after coming off the replacements bench last weekend.

Phil Egglehsaw will miss out with a broken finger, moving Dan Hemingway into the number 8 spot.

Nottingham:

Parr, Youngs, Du Plessis, Rouse, Slater, Hammond (c), Sherriff, Hemingway; White, Tonks, Savage, Johnston, Streather, Cobden, Jackson.

Replacements:

Fowkes, Sammons, Buxton, Nimmo, Raven, Marshall, Blake.