Chiefsholdonto clinchdramatic Heinekenfinal
EXETER CHIEFS 31 RACING 92 27
Exeter were crowned kings of European club rugby for the first time after a thrilling Heineken Champions Cup Final.
While Racing suffered a third European final defeat in five years, Exeter marked their debut appearance by lighting up the tournament’s showpiece occasion.
It might have all unfolded behind closed doors but there was a boxoffice quality about the Chiefs as Devon’s finest lapped up every glorious minute, even if a chunk of the second period saw them under prolonged pressure.
Exeter made one change following their semi-final victory over Toulouse, with flanker Jacques Vermeulen replacing Sam Skinner, while Racing showed three switches as wing Louis Dupichot, centre Henry Chavancy and lock Bernard Le Roux all started.
The final, which would have been in Marseille five months ago had it not been for the pandemic, burst into life with an eighthminute try for Exeter – in trademark style, as they drove the Racing pack backwards from a shortrange lineout and England international Cowan-dickie touched down.
Simmonds kicked the conversion and Exeter immediately returned to Racing’s 22, only for the French club to enjoy a major let-off.
Fly-half Russell spilled possession behind his own line and knocked it forward as he tried to make amends, but Chiefs lock Jonny Hill couldn’t apply downward pressure and Racing escaped after a marginal call by ref Nigel Owens and his TV match official went in their favour.
Exeter, though, added a second try just two minutes later, again after their forwards established dominance, and Sam Simmonds claimed his eighth touchdown in this season’s tournament with his brother Joe converting.
But just when Exeter looked in complete control, Racing hit back by scoring two tries in 11 minutes.
Ireland international Zebo claimed the first when he collected Russell’s pinpoint floated pass, then Imhoff showcased his renowned finishing quality to add a second that Russell converted.
Racing were right back in the contest and Exeter needed to reassert themselves. Unsurprisingly, their forwards again came up trumps. The French side were once more powerless to stop drive after drive and this time it waswilliams who prospered, with Joe Simmonds’ conversion making it 21-12 at half-time.
Racing struck first in the second period, taking less than three minutes before Zebo arrowed over for another score and became only the fourth player to score two tries in a Heineken final.
Exeter replied rapidly after wing Jack Nowell intercepted Russell’s ambitious pass 20 metres from his own line and found a supporting Slade, who scored and Joe Simmonds converted.
Back came Racing with a close-range score by Chat – Machenaud converted.
A Machenaud penalty made it a one-point game with 15 minutes left, then Francis was yellow-carded, Joe Simmonds struck his clinching penalty and Exeter prevailed following an anxious wait before the whistle.