Exeter Chiefs lost 15-36 at home to United Rugby Championship side the Scarlets on Saturday. It was the Chiefs' first run-out of the new campaign, with the side having finished as beaten Gallagher PREM finalists last season.
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter chose two completely different XVs for each half of the friendly at Sandy Park, with five more players on the bench. That gave most of the available squad a chance to shake off rust before next week's PREM Rugby Cup match against Bristol Bears.
All three Exeter tries came from hookers. Local player Louie Gulley scored two early tries, and his replacement Julian Heaven added a third in the second half.
The Scarlets scored six tries, with Macs Page and Joe Roberts each getting two, and Gabe McDonald and Dan Davis adding one apiece. That proved too much for the Chiefs.
Both teams made late changes. Fly-half Harvey Skinner was out for the Chiefs, while Ioan Nicholas came in at stand-off
Exeter Chiefs Fall to Scarlets in Pre-Season Friendly