Baxter ‘proud’ in spite of thrashing
TOULOUSE 64 EXETER 26
ROB BAXTER was left “hugely proud” despite seeing Exeter suffer a Champions Cup quarter-final humbling.
Aiming to become European champions for a record-extending sixth time, Toulouse were in red-hot form.
Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn led the way, scoring two tries in a haul of 23 points.
Juan Cruz Mallia (2), Pita Ahki (2), Romain Ntamack, Jack Willis and Antoine Dupont also dived over.
The Chiefs only trailed 17-16 at the interval.
But tries by Ethan Roots and Zack Wimbush, plus the boot of Henry Slade, were not enough for them.
Exeter director of rugby Baxter said: “I’m hugely proud of the players for the commitment they put into the game.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more. When we came in at half-time we had done a lot of what we wanted to do.We were right in the mix and put an awful lot physically into the game.
“In the second half we probably couldn’t maintain our quality in a couple of key areas.”
Toulouse clinched a home semi-final against Harlequins, who beat Bordeaux-Begles 42-41 on Saturday.
Toulouse skills coach Jerome Kaino said: “First half I thought Exeter put us under a lot of pressure.We weren’t able to keep the ball as well as we wanted to – credit to Exeter for that.
“They are a class outfit but I’m extremely proud at the way the boys came out in that second half.
“We’re now very excited about the semi-final.”
TOULOUSE – Tries: Kinghorn 2, Ahki 2, Mallia 2, Ntamack, Willis, Dupont.
Cons: Kinghorn 5, Ramos 3.
Pen: Kinghorn.
EXETER – Tries: Roots, Wimbush.
Cons: Slade 2. Pens: Slade 4.