WIN IN FRANCE EXETER’S EURO FINEST, SAYS SLADE

EXETER centre Henry Slade believes yesterday’s 27-24 victory over Montpellier goes down as one of the best European results in the English side’s history.

Man of the match Don Armand scored in either half, while centre Ian Whitten also added a try as Gareth Steenson kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Montpellier took two points thanks to a pair of tries from Nemani Nadolo as well as Joe Tomane and Benoit Paillaugue efforts, but it was Rob Baxter’s men who came out on top.

Slade said: “This result is definitely up there. It was a big effort, Montpellier threw everything at us and they’re a top side with some big lads.

“It took a lot out of us and it’s really pleasing to come away with the win.

“Last year we came to France in Europe, thought we’d give it a go, and got blown away a few times.

“This year we came here to win and I thought we did it really well. Away wins are massive in Europe and we have Leinster back-to-back next which is going to be exciting.”

Exeter and Leinster are the two teams at the top of Pool Three, and Baxter added: “With both Leinster and us going unbeaten up till now it makes the double-header a fantastic occasion.

“I hope we can have a huge game at Sandy Park and I know we’ll take thousands of people over to Dublin. What we wanted was to have our fate in our own hands at the end of the first two rounds and that’s where it is. It’s up to us now to see if we can drive home in this pool.”