Castres’ 14 men frustrate Exeter
Munster wanted a second Gloucester red card for Billy Twelvetrees’ hit on Joey Carbery. However, Ruiz decided Twelvetrees’ chest had made contact first, rather than the shoulder, and ruled a penalty was sufficient.
Verdict
It was a far bigger hit than Cipriani’s and could have gone either way. Twelvetrees was fortunate not to be penalised further. Castres defeated Exeter despite playing the entire second half a man down as Rob Baxter’s side failed to take hold of a game which they had led 14-0. Maama Vaipulu, the No 8, was shown a red card for a high tackle on Luke CowanDickie, but the visitors were unable to take advantage.
Baxter was understandably disheartened with how his side lost grip of a game they looked to have in their control. “It was disappointing when we got off to the start we did and showed the ambition we did. A lot of the targets we set ourselves, we achieved in that first 10-15 minutes,” he said.
“It was pretty tough to take the second half, particularly playing against 14 men, we were outfought throughout that second half. To have 14 men and do what they did in the second half, is a great credit. It makes this more disappointing that we didn’t manage to make it through and win the game in the end.”
Outside of Castres with a population of just over 40,000, the Champions Cup clash with Exeter was regarded by the rest of France as an undercard to close neighbours and fierce rivals Toulouse’s meeting with holders Leinster this afternoon because of the pedigree of both sides. Yet with Castres as the underdog champions of last season’s Top 14 and Exeter English Premiership runners-up, it was a match-up that should never have been written off.
While it was bitter disappointment for Exeter, Castres’ forward coach, Englishman Joe El-Abd, hailed his side’s tenacity and the spectacle of the game. “We worked hard in the week and it paid today, especially when you are playing against Exeter, who keep hold of the ball, which is difficult to stop,” said Brighton-born El-Abd. “It was even more difficult to put in that performance, it was outstanding. The game was a great advert for rugby and a great advert for the European Cup.”
El-Abd, who is due to leave Castres at the end of the season, will no doubt have some Premiership clubs interested in him, considering how masterful his side were at the breakdown, particularly when down a player in the second half.
Adding to the frustration for Exeter is that, as well as their December double-header against Gloucester becoming must-win after last week’s draw against Munster, the Chiefs played their ideal opening 15 minutes with the relentless possession that has become their hallmark.
With just 13 minutes played, it looked likely that Castres’ impressive European home record, two years unbeaten, would be smashed as Exeter cruised to a 14-0 lead. Argentine international wing Santiago Cordero ran in before flanker Matt Kvesic, who has had a strong beginning to the season. If anything, Exeter’s early dominance seemed to wake up Castres, as from 20 minutes they wormed their way back into the game, first with a try from centre Florian Vialelle followed by two penalties and a dropped goal by fly-half Julien Dumora.
When Dumora, who had helped wrestle control of the game as well as keeping the scoreboard ticking over hobbled from the field at 35 minutes, it looked like perhaps Castres could again become undone.
But replacement Yohan Le Bourhis quickly slotted another penalty and the hosts were leading 19-14 with four minutes remaining of the first half.
Just moments later the French champions looked to be running out of luck as Vaipulu was shown a red card by Irish referee John Lacey for a high tackle on Cowan-Dickie – very similar to the offence which led to Toulouse former All Black Jerome Kaino being given only a yellow against Bath before being cited and banned for five weeks.
Exeter were back to their steady phase play and finished the half 19-19 after a try from captain and fly-half Gareth Steenson.
The rhythm of the second half defied all logic as Exeter looked fatigued and indecisive in contact while Castres gave a dominant performance despite being down a back row player. A try from Australian lock Steve Mafi, who is something of a cult hero in Castres after scoring the winning try in the Top 14 final, galvanised his side.
With 10 minutes to play there was just four points in the game as Le Bourhis and Steenson swapped penalties. But Castres looked to have the better chance of a try as Vialelle raced up the wing with a kick chase and the TMO had to be consulted when it looked as if he had been tripped by Henry Slade. The England centre was sent to the sin bin with two minutes left to play, but Castres were not given a penalty try.