Exeter show their class in Europe at last
EXETER Chiefs got t heir Heineken Champions Cup campaign off to a perfect start with their biggest ever away win in the competition.
Much of the talk in the buildup to the game had concerned why the Chiefs so often fail to reproduce their Premiership form in Europe.
However, that criticism was put to bed in style in a match where not only did Exeter wreck La Rochelle’s proud home unbeaten record stretching back to March, they also collected the bonus point to top Pool Two.
Delighted Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said: ‘I’ve known there is a lot more in us than we have shown in the Premiership so far this season, and I have known why it has not come out.
‘It is because we have been looking over our shoulders waiting for the Heineken Cup games to come around and this game couldn’t have come at a better time for us.
‘We now need to move on and get on with things, but I am so delighted for t he players, plenty of whom had their best games of the season.’
Exeter, who suffered a shock home league defeat to Bristol last weekend, took an early lead with a pick- and- go try from Australian lock Dave Dennis and another f r om winger Tom O’Flaherty. He produced a great finish in the corner after Joe Simmonds’s long pass following a move initiated with a storming run by England prop Harry Williams. With Simmonds converting both, the Chiefs led 14-0.
Between those scores, France winger Vincent Rattez had a try ruled out for a forward pass and when Kiwi fly half
Ihaia West missed a very kickable penalty just before the break, it left La Rochelle pointless. They were booed off by their passionate fans.
The Frenchmen came storming back after half time with a lovely try by centre Geoffrey Doumayrou following great link-up play with wingers Rattez and Arthur Retiere, but the boost that gave them was swiftly crushed.
England centre Henry Slade’s 54th-minute interception try, and Sam Simmonds’s l egpumping effort nine minutes later sealed victory — both were converted by brother Joe, who then added a penalty.
Fijian replacement Kini Murimurivalu managed a try for the hosts with the last play of the game.
However, it did not tarnish the celebrations for the 700 travelling Exeter fans.