HEARTACHE FOR HOGG AS CHIEFS ARE CRUSHED BY MUNSTER AND JONES JUST CAN’T DO ENOUGH

STUART HOGG’S European Champions Cup adventure with Exeter this season has come to an end after a dispiriting 34-23 aggregate defeat to Munster.

Joey Carbery kicked the Irish side into an early lead before the Chiefs hit back with scrum-half Sam Maunder touching down to put the visitors ahead.

Carbery kicked the hosts back in front on 17 minutes before crossing over for a try nine minutes later — and then converting — to put Munster into a commanding lead with just over a quarter of the match played.

Into the second period and Exeter came out fighting, looking to get back into the match.

Their early pressure was rewarded as Jacques Vermeulen crossed the whitewash nine minutes after the break.

Just as with the first half,

Munster hit back in style as Carbery kicked another six points before South Africa’s Damian De Allende touched down for another try. Carbery was again on point with the boot to kick the conversion to seal a 26-10 win for the hosts.

Huw Jones got on the scoresheet for Harelequins but a late missed conversion from England star Marcus Smith meant that Harlequins crashed out by a single point, going down 60-59 on aggregate to reigning champions Montpellier, despite a 33-20 second-leg success.

Trailing 40-26 from the first leg, Quins needed an early breakthrough and Jones set them on their way in the opening minute with a try. Smith was on hand to convert.

The sides traded converted tries from Yvan Reilhac and Alex Dombrandt before Louis Bourdette kicked Montpellier back to within two points.

Joe Marchant and Julien Tisseron each scored converted tries before the break with Louis Lynagh and Smith securing another seven points for Quins.

Handre Pollard kept the French alive with a penalty after 55 minutes before Lynagh went over again only for Smith to miss his first conversion of the day and send Quins out.