Wasps without England duo Kieran Brookes and Brad Shields for Premiership Rugby Final against Exeter

Absent: Back-row Brad Shields would have been expected to start for Wasps against Exeter at Twickenham
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Will Macpherson30 October 2020

England internationals Kieran Brookes and Brad Shields are among the four players missing from the Wasps team for Saturday's Premiership Final against Exeter following the outbreak of Covid-19 at the club last week.

Also missing is All Black centre Malakai Fekitoa, who went off early in the semi-final win over Bristol due to a groin injury.

He is replaced by Springbok Juan de Jongh in one of four changes to the starting XV and what remains a strong Wasps squad.

Simon McIntyre and Alfie Barbeary join Brookes and Shields – who would have expected to start – in missing the game due to contact tracing protocols.

“If we are all being honest, it hasn’t been ideal preparation, but I have to give credit to the players because they have coped with it admirably,” said Wasps coach Lee Blackett.

Exeter have made four changes from the side that won the Heineken Champions Cup last Saturday, with Jonny Gray dropping to the bench.

Also missing due to coronavirus is referee Wayne Barnes, who revealed on Thursday night that he had tested positive. Barnes will be replaced by Craig Maxwell-Keys.

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