The short version
- Toulouse defeated Exeter Chiefs despite playing with fourteen men for the majority of the match after an early red card.
- Zack Wimbush scored three tries for Exeter, but a late missed penalty by Henry Slade prevented a draw.
- The frenetic contest featured eight first-half tries and multiple disciplinary incidents, highlighting the physical intensity of the pool stage.
Toulouse retained their status as the dominant force in European club rugby by defeating Exeter Chiefs in a chaotic Champions Cup match that saw leads change hands repeatedly. The French side, who hold the record for the most Champions Cup titles with six victories, managed to secure a narrow win despite being reduced to fourteen players early in the contest. The result denied Exeter a historic victory on French soil and highlighted the resilience of the Toulouse squad under pressure.
The match began at a frantic pace, with Exeter striking first through Zack Wimbush, who started on the wing in place of the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Wimbush’s early try stunned the home crowd, but Toulouse responded swiftly. Ange Capuozzo crossed for the hosts, followed by a penalty try that also resulted in Exeter full-back Sam Harris being sent to the sin-bin. The scoring continued unabated as the teams traded blows in an open and aggressive first half.
The turning point arrived in the sixteenth minute when Toulouse prop Rodrigue Neti was shown a red card for making shoulder-to-head contact during a tackle on Ross Vintcent. This dismissal gave Exeter a numerical advantage, yet the visitors struggled to capitalize fully before the break. The first half ended with eight tries scored in total, four by each side, and concluded with Exeter holding a slender 26-24 lead. Two yellow cards were also issued during this period, underscoring the high stakes and physical nature of the encounter.
Exeter appeared to gain momentum after the interval, extending their advantage when Will Butt capitalized on a charged-down kick from Antoine Dupont. However, Toulouse fought back with impressive attacking play. Matias Remue scored twice, and Romain Ntamack added another try for the hosts, shifting the balance of power. The lead swapped hands several times in the second half, with neither team able to establish complete control over the game.
Disciplinary issues continued to plague both sides throughout the match. Exeter’s Ben Hammersley spent time in the sin-bin, allowing Toulouse to grab a crucial advantage during his absence. Earlier, Teddy Thomas had been yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, which briefly leveled the playing field for Exeter when they were two men ahead. These infractions disrupted rhythm and created opportunities for both teams to score or concede points.
Zack Wimbush was instrumental for Exeter, completing a hat-trick of tries that kept his team in contention until the final moments. His performance provided a bright spot for the visitors, who had traveled with high hopes of securing a famous win. However, individual brilliance could not overcome the collective pressure exerted by Toulouse, who remained composed despite the numerical disadvantage and the back-and-forth nature of the contest.
The match concluded with dramatic tension as Exeter were awarded a late penalty with the clock in the red. Henry Slade stepped up to take the kick from approximately forty meters out, a distance that offered a realistic chance of forcing a draw. Slade had successfully converted five of Exeter’s six tries earlier in the game, but his final attempt pulled wide. This miss sealed the victory for Toulouse and left Exeter with only a losing bonus point.
The outcome reflects the competitive depth of the Champions Cup this season. While Toulouse demonstrated their experience and ability to close out tight games, Exeter showed resilience and attacking flair even when facing adversity. The match will be remembered for its high scoreline, disciplinary controversies, and the narrow margin that decided the result. Both teams now look ahead to their next fixtures, with Toulouse strengthening their position in the pool standings.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Slade misses last-gasp kick as Toulouse deny Exeter famous win
