Chiefs bag home advantage for Cup last-16

They thrash Castres

The Chiefs wrapped up their time in pool A with a bonus point victory over French Top 14 side Castres.

With Exeter already through to the last-16 going into this fixture of the Champions Cup, they needed to win to have home advantage in the next phase of the tournament. 

On a brisk and chilly evening at Sandy Park Exeter Chiefs struggled to get into their stride early on, with little pattern, and a stop-start period that made the crowd nervy. 

An Exeter Chiefs try eventually thwarted any irritation as Henry Slade touched down. Great accuracy from the captain was profited thanks to great work by the hosts. Slade, who touched down for the fourth match in a row at Sandy Park. 

Castres back row player Feibyan Tukino was dispatched before the break due to a horrible challenge off the ball and he rightfully received a red card. 

The travellers were down to 12 men before the break, as Chiefs scored a penalty try to further their lead going into half time. With the score being Chiefs 14, Castres 3. 

The tables turned during the start of the second half as it was all Chiefs with numerous attacks being shaped by Exeter.

The constant pressure rewarded the Chiefs with a third try, early into the second half. Sam Simmonds claimed it following a driven maul which extended their lead, a precise conversion by captain Henry Slade brought more joy around the stadium. 

Great defence from Exeter prevented an inevitable Castres try, and the hard work was repaid as a turnover meant a well-deserved bonus point try was achieved. This now means the last 16 match will be held at Sandy Park!

With minutes left on the clock, Chiefs winger Jack Nowell put the match to sleep with a lethal step to beat his man and touch down. Although Sandy Park thought the match was over, Exeter flanker Tshiunza scored to complete a well-deserved victory.

Final score: Chiefs 40, Castres 3

Line-ups:

Exeter: Hodge, Nowell, Slade (c), O'Loughlin, Woodburn, Skinner, S Maunder; Kenny, Innard, Iosefa-Scott, Kirsten, Jenkins, Ewers, Tshiunza, S Simmonds.

Replacements: Frost, Sio, Williams, Dunne, Fisilau, J Maunder, J Simmonds, Kata.

Castres: Dumora, Bouzerand, Seguret, Cocagi, Larregain, Botica, Kockott; Tichit, Barlot, Chilachava, Maravat, Vanverberghe, Babillot (c), Delaporte, Tukino.
Replacements: Humbert, Tierney, Azar, Kornath, Pieterse, Ben-Nicholas, Blanc, Chabouni.