EXETER Chiefs will unleash their returning international stars for the first time this campaign when they face Cardiff Rugby in their final pre-season test tomorrow (3pm).

England duo Henry Slade and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso headline a quartet of internationals returning to Rob Baxter’s side as the Chiefs complete their preparations for the start of the new Gallagher Premiership campaign.

Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney also makes his first appearance of the season, while Georgian international Bachuki Tchumbadze and South African Joseph Dweba are named among the replacements for the clash at Cardiff Arms Park.

The game represents the final opportunity for Baxter to fine-tune his side before the real business begins next weekend, when the Chiefs welcome Gloucester Rugby to Sandy Park for their PREM opener.

After missing the Chiefs’ opening pre-season fixtures following their international commitments, Slade, Feyi-Waboso and Varney are now back in the starting line-up as the Devonians look to build momentum ahead of the new campaign.

Slade starts at outside-centre alongside summer signing Will Butt, while Feyi-Waboso returns on the wing with veteran Olly Woodburn. Varney slots straight back in at scrum-half, renewing his partnership with fly-half Harvey Skinner.

Baxter admits reintegrating the returning internationals has provided an ‘interesting’ challenge during the build-up to the Cardiff fixture.

“We’ve settled those internationals lads back into the match line-up for the first time and that’s made for an interesting week because no matter how you look at it, they’re having to try to fit back in,” he said.

“That said, we haven’t made massive changes from last season, only made a couple of tweaks in attack and a couple of things around set-piece.

“They’re pretty capable guys, that’s why they’re internationals, so I’m pretty certain they’ll settle in well.”

There are also starts for Ethan Roots, who captains the side, and Greg Fisilau, who returns at No.8. Harry Wilson moves into the second row alongside Joe Bailey, while Kane James switches to openside after an impressive showing against Bristol Bears last time out.

Up front, Will Goodrick-Clarke and Jimmy Roots join youngster Louie Gulley in the starting front row.

Baxter is expecting another important test against Cardiff as Exeter look to finish pre-season on a positive note.

“It’s always a nice challenge to go away, so going to Wales is great for us,” he said. “We’ve picked a pretty strong squad, we’ve had some quality training this week in which I think we’re showing some really good intent and good attention to detail, which is what I want to see in the performance.”

EXETER CHIEFS: B Hammersley; O Woodburn, H Slade, W Butt, I Feyi-Waboso; H Skinner, S Varney; W Goodrick-Clarke, L Gulley, J Roots; J Bailey, H Wilson; E Roots (c), K James, G Fisilau. Replacements (from): J Heaven, E Burger, B Tchumbadze, O Beckerleg, F Worley Brady, S Wolstenholme, W Haydon-Wood, S Harris, J Dweba, A McArthur, E Painter, O Smith, J Murray, B Coen, N Lilley, Z Wimbush, O Batson, C Poynton.