At long last Chiefs make it to rugby’s Hillary Step
and this is a final more than most that deserved an 80,000 sell-out at one of our great stadia.
A compelling first half saw Toulouse out of the blocks the quickest and Exeter having to dig deep defensively to stem the tide. This modern-day Toulouse side retains the attacking instincts of their great sides of yesteryear, they always look to handle and run at pace which makes them so good to watch.
In one way though, it makes them predictable. Rob Baxter and his Exeter side knew what was coming and, as many Premiership sides have discovered, breaking Exeter down is not easy.
Initially the visitors had to be content with two straight forward penalties from Thomas Ramos. Their best try-scoring chance came after a fluent 15-phase attack but was snuffed out when Tom O’Flaherty managed to bundle Yoann Huget into touch.
The early storm weathered, Exeter began to feature more prominently. On one occasion Ian Whitten spotted a mismatch against Charlie Faumuina and blitzed around the prop to create an opportunity but couldn’t get the potentially try-scoring pass away to Luke Cowan-Dickie.
Soon after O’Flaherty went screeching through the middle and a try looked certain had he connected with Jack Nowell on the right wing. Instead he took contact and went to ground but Exeter were in prime Chiefs territory now and they carefully worked their way through the phases before Harry Williams was bundled over the line for the converted try.
The game continued to ebb and flow before a burst of scoring just before the break. Toulouse regained the lead when a trademark flash of genius and quick feet from Cheslin Kolbe on the right wing set them on the attack.
Chiefs’ scramble defence dealt with that initial threat – they had swarmed all over Kolbe every time he was in possession – but Toulouse moved it fluently wide to the left where big Alban Placines was lurking to power over for a fine score.
The moment was slightly marred by an unnecessary late knees-first challenge into the ribs by Nowell who was well beaten and had no hope of preventing the score, a moment unworthy of the England wing.
It looked like Toulouse were good for a half-time lead but back stormed Exeter, immediately setting up camp deep in the visitors’ 22.
Showing the precision and predatory instinct for which they are rightly famed they again worked the position ruthlessly to project Sam Simmonds over for a converted try.
Chiefs led 14-11 at halftime – nothing much in it really, but who would engage top gear first after the break?
Despite playing into a freshening wind the answer was Exeter, although they still had to scramble hard in defence on occasions. When the opportunity came, though, they struck ruthlessly, which they have learned is absolutely vital against quality European opposition.
Williams, enjoying a wonderful afternoon, forced his way over for a second short-range try that stretched the Chiefs’ lead and then came possibly the key moment as Toulouse drove forward, realising the game was on the line.
It looked like the impressive Placines was going to stretch for a second try but he was hacked down ruthlessly and then, with a try still looking likely, man-ofthe-match Sam Simmonds came up with an invaluable turnover on his own line.
Exeter breathed again and moved back up field intent on closing the game out which they did in wonderful style with young skipper Joe Simmonds carving his way through for a Boy’s Own try, burning his way on the outside and throwing in a couple of dummies to touchdown.
It was a moment of high class by a player who needs to be lauded much more. With George Ford and Owen Farrell around there doesn’t appear to be an immediate vacancy at ten for England but Simmonds has an impressive, skillful,