Tom Johnson returns to the first team squad for the first time since neck surgery over the summer as Exeter Chiefs head to London Irish on Sunday (3pm).
Ben White makes way for the England international, who has not played competitively since England's tour of New Zealand in June.
Head coach Rob Baxter makes four changes to his starting XV, all of which are in the forwards.
Carl Rimmer and Tomas Francis come into the front row, Damian Welch returns to the second row, while Don Armand, who missed last weekend's game due to the birth of his first son, will play as openside flanker.
Ben Moon, Moray Low, Mitch Lees and White – who has picked up a knee injury – are the unlucky ones to make way for the trip to the Madejski Stadium in Reading as the Chiefs look to avoid a fourth straight defeat.
And despite falling down to sixth following that poor run, Baxter insists he will not be making sweeping changes to their style of play.
"Last week we got some decision-making wrong and some of our accuracy was off in the things we did, but large parts of our game were very good," said Baxter.
"Therefore, we're not going to change masses, throw the game plan in the bin or look to redevelop things because that's not the way to be successful.
"Each year we've been in the Premiership we've improved year on year, so it's more a case of reinforcing our qualities and reinforcing the attitude and the accuracy to win games, then ramming it home in training.
"As I said, it's not like we're standing here now and thinking things are falling down around our ears because they are not. Huge parts of our game are still very much in place – and the attitude of the players is great.
"What recent results have done, however, is put some pressure on ourselves to collect some points.
"Like anything, when you put pressure on, that can create an edgy performance and I'd imagine there will be elements of Sunday that will see us being a bit edgy. However, that's no bad thing as those are the things you have to deal with if you want to be a top of the table side."Exeter Chiefs squad to face London Irish: Phil Dollman, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Sam Hill, Matt Jess, Gareth Steenson, Will Chudley, Carl Rimmer, Jack Yeandle, Tomas Francis, Dean Mumm, Damian Welch, Dave Ewers, Don Armand, Thomas WaldromReplacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Moon, Moray Low, Tom Johnson, Sam Simmonds, Haydn Thomas, Ian Whitten
