Chiefs lay down Cup marker over Irish
EXETER Chiefs laid down a big marker ahead of the start of their Premiership campaign by not just beating Munster on their own patch but also holding their Champions Cup rivals scoreless in the process.
Rob Baxter’s side got off to a flying start at Irish Independent Park in Cork on Friday night with tries from Olly Woodburn and prop Harry Williams in the first quarter, while a solid defensive showing saw them easily hold on to win.
Baxter said: “I suppose this game will have little impact on when we meet in Europe in October, neither was really going to show their hand at this point but it was a good workout and we are still happy with the performance and result.
“We know it will be entirely different when we come back for the Champions Cup but even that will be at a different venue so this one was a dry run.
“We will face a completely different challenge when we go to Thomond Park but the priority now is to make a good start to the Premiership and build from there.”
This was a powerful Exeter outfit and with nine internationals in their starting line-up they dominated a Munster side who ran up multiple changes, which started from early in the first-half.
It was a poor opening to the game for Munster, who fell behind after nine minutes when Woodburn finished off a flowing move from right to left to score, although Garret Steenson was off target with his conversion.
The second try arrived halfway through the half when Williams crept over from close range, and this time Steenson made no mistake from the tee to give his side a 12-0 lead.
From that point on Munster improved in defence, but by the interval they were unable to impact the scoreboard, while new signing Arno Botha was introduced for his debut after half an hour.
Munster attempted to get back in the match after the break, but with the replacements arriving thick and fast from both sides it was hard to put together long phases of possession.
Credit to Exeter for surviving the best that Munster could throw at them, the home side forcing several penalties and looking far more composed than they had in the first half in several attacking scrums. Substitute Arno Botha provided the visitors with plenty to worry about.
Still, that Exeter defence held firm, but only just when Darren Sweetnam’s brilliant run was stopped just short. It wasn’t to be Munster’s night.
“The frustrating thing about this game is that we probably created more opportunities than the opposition but their patience on the tackle was really good,” said Munster coach Johann van Graan.