Exeter Chiefs make Plymouth Albion wait over teenager Jack Arnott

PLYMOUTH Albion will have to wait a bit longer to have a look at highly-rated city teenager Jack Arnott in Championship action.

The England Under-18 star was recently added to Albion's squad as a replacement for fellow dual- registered Exeter Chiefs Academy back Jack Nowell, who is out of the rest of the campaign with a knee injury.

Albion coach Nat Saumi is keen to see the 18-year-old Ivybridge Community College pupil in a competitive game before the relegation play-offs start.

But he will not get that opportunity this weekend when Albion, whose place in the bottom four was confirmed last week, travel to Bedford as Exeter Chiefs want the Devonport Services product to play for them again in the LV=Cup against Bath on Sunday.

Arnott made his Exeter debut last week as a replacement in their cup win over Wasps.

After this weekend, Albion will only have two regular league matches left before the play-offs start.

This Saturday would have been a good chance to have a look at Arnott as there is a back's slot available as Keni Fisilau is suspended.

"Jack Arnott will not be available this weekend," said Albion coach Saumi. "He is wanted by Exeter for their cup game.

"I had been looking forward to possibly playing him this weekend, as I need to see him.

"Now I don't know when I will see him."

With Fisilau unavailable, Saumi has to make a decision on who will play at 12. Sione Tu'ipulotu, Paul Bailey and Steve Johns can play there.

However, on loan Worcester back Tu'ipulotu, who played at full-back at Moseley last weekend, has not trained with Albion this week.

Albion will also be without Herbie Stupple again.

Stupple, another dual registered player from Exeter Chiefs, is also wanted by his parent club.

The back-row forward missed last week's game at Moseley.

"Herbie was supposed to be available but he was called back on Tuesday," said Saumi.

"These players are under contract there (at Exeter), so it's their call."

Meanwhile, former physiotherapist Paris Payne will return to Albion after this week's match. Payne will replace Alex Travarthan.