Newcastle Falcons vs Exeter Chiefs Picks and Odds
By Robert Duff in Rugby
Published:
- Exeter Chiefs are massive 33.5-point home favorites over Newcastle Falcons in their Rugby Premiership match on Sunday, May 30th
- Newcastle have never won a match at Exeter’s Sandy Park (0-12)
- The Falcons have recorded just one win ever against the Chiefs – read below for our betting pick
When it comes to ownership of the Newcastle Falcons, the Exeter Chiefs are living a privileged existence. Exeter have never lost a home match to Newcastle in Rugby Premiership competition.
The Falcons left town a loser on all 12 previous visits to Exeter. No wonder then that the Chiefs are being made the prohibitive 33.5-point chalk over Newcastle as the Falcons visit Sandy Park on Sunday.
Newcastle Falcons vs Exeter Chiefs Rugby Premiership Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Falcons | OFF | +33.5 (-113) | OFF |
| Exeter Chiefs | OFF | -33.5 (-113) | OFF |
Odds as of May 29th.
The match is set for an 8:30am ET kickoff at Sandy Park.
Two Hot Hands
Exeter comes into this contest having won seven of the last eight matches. The lone setback in this stretch was a 34-18 loss at Gloucester on March 26th.
The Chiefs have tasted defeat just twice at Sandy Park in this season’s Rugby Premiership. Exeter lost at home to Bristol in Round 6 and to Northampton in Round 10.
The Falcons have won their last two Rugby Premiership matches. Newcastle have not won three in a row since opening the season 3-0.
Newcastle show just one win ever against Exeter. The Falcons took a 28-20 home decision on January 7th, 2018 at Kingston Park. Exeter won 15-9 at Newcastle on February 7th.
This season, Newcastle hasn’t won an away match since defeating Wasps 27-17 on December 5th. They’ve lost five away matches in succession since that triumph.
Simmons a Record Setter
During last week’s 31-12 triumph over London Irish, Chiefs number eight Sam Simmonds scored a hat-trick of tries to set a new Rugby Premiership single-season record. He’s crossed the try line and successfully downed the ball on 19 occasions.
"To score 50 tries in how many games – 65? It's unbelievably impressive."
After @samsimmonds_ broke the record for most tries in a single Premiership season, @Alex_goode0 and @SeanOBrien1987 discuss what makes the Exeter man so special. pic.twitter.com/TNRCi9otHk
— RugbyJOE (@RugbyJOE_UK) May 26, 2021
The previous record for a campaign was 17 tries. It was shared by Christian Wade and Dominic Chapman.
Riding His Horses
Last week’s win over London Irish served as confirmation of Exeter’s playoff spot. In pursuit of securing a home semifinal, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter is making just three changes to the squad that won the clinching match.
Loosehead prop Alec Hepburn and Scottish international lock Sam Skinner are coming into the pack in place of Ben Moon and Sean Lonsdale.
📢 – TEAM NEWS: Here is your @ExeterChiefs side to face @FalconsRugby in Rd 20 of @premrugby at @SandyParkExeter (1:30pm) ⬇️https://t.co/RARVxePbL4#EXEvNEW pic.twitter.com/C4XWwD4EAk
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) May 28, 2021
There’s just one change among the backs. Facundo Cordero is starting at full-back in place of Scotland international captain Stuart Hogg.
Hogg is named among the replacements alongside fellow British and Irish Lion, Jonny Hill. The latter has missed the past two games through injury.
Many Changes For Falcons
Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards is shuffling his lineup considerably from the side that put a dent in Northampton’s playoff hopes last week via an 18-10 victory.
Veteran forward Carl Fearns makes his first start of the season at number eight. Joel Hodgson is starting at full-back after coming off the bench in the win over the Saints.
Wing Chidera Obonna gets a start. He scored his first Falcons try as a sub last week.
TEAM NEWS: Carl Fearns makes his first start for Newcastle Falcons on Sunday when they travel to Gallagher Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs https://t.co/jCiFQ3jWTZ pic.twitter.com/uxXvF0v2UO
— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) May 28, 2021
England Under-20 fly-half Will Haydon-Wood, former Scotland Under-20 flanker Tom Marshall and Northern Irish wing Zach Kerr are all included among the reserves. Each would be making their Rugby Premiership debuts if called upon to enter the match.
Newcastle announced this week that wing/center George Wacokecoke has signed a new three-year deal with the club. The 740-mile journey to Exeter is Newcastle’s longest road trip of the season.
- Pick: Newcastle Falcons +33.5 (-113)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
