Exeter reach first Champions Cup final with excellent victory over Toulouse
Ben Coles
·14-min read
Joe Simmonds of Exeter Chiefs is mobbed by team mates after scoring against Toulouse - GETTY IMAGES
Exeter reached their first Heineken Champions Cup final after flooring French heavyweights Toulouse with a 28-18 victory at Sandy Park.
The Chiefs' forwards drove them into a final showdown against Racing 92 at Ashton Gate next month, as prop Harry Williams scored two tries, number eight Sam Simmonds also touched down and skipper Joe Simmonds iced the celebration cake through a stunning individual score.
Fly-half Joe Simmonds, younger brother of Sam, converted all four scores, and just 10 years after Exeter were promoted to the Premiership they are one win away from being crowned kings of Europe.
The Chiefs remain firmly on course for a domestic and European double, a feat that has only been managed by three English clubs - Leicester, Wasps and Saracens.
Toulouse's bid for a record fifth European title will have to wait, although they pushed Exeter all the way.
They led for much of the first half, with replacement lock Alban Placines scoring a try and full-back Thomas Ramos kicking two penalties, before Matthis Lebel added a consolation score that Ramos converted.
But Toulouse failed to score a point between the 36th and 76th minutes, such was Exeter's control, built on the back of a huge pack effort and impressive discipline.
Exeter showed a solitary change from the side that beat quarter-final opponents Northampton last weekend, with Sam Skinner replacing flanker Jacques Vermeulen, while one switch for Toulouse saw a start for hooker Julien Marchand.
The visitors made a superb start, twice getting their star wing Cheslin Kolbe involved in a multi-phase attack, before Exeter infringed and Ramos kicked a fourth-minute penalty.
Ramos doubled Toulouse's lead through a second penalty 10 minutes later, and Exeter could make little impression on the contest as their opponents dominated possession and territory.
Toulouse put together repeated threatening passages of play, ensuring a huge defensive shift by the Chiefs, and it took a fine tackle by Exeter wing Tom O'Flaherty to deny his opposite number Yoann Huget a try.
The only setback for Toulouse during a dominant opening quarter was seeing their Australia international lock Rory Arnold go off injured, although Exeter stirred when centre Ian Whitten broke clear and posed a first question to Toulouse's defence.
And the Chiefs grew on the back of Whitten's opportunism as they went ahead through a trademark close-range score after their forwards rumbled Toulouse and Williams touched down.
Simmonds kicked the conversion, and a one-point advantage after being dominated for so long said everything about Exeter's character and resilience.
The lead only lasted five minutes, though, as Toulouse produced further evidence of their ability to keep possession and recycle it rapidly when Placines crossed in the corner after Exeter's defence ran out of numbers.
But the Chiefs again responded, going 14-11 in front at the break after their forwards' collective strength and organisation allowed Sam Simmonds to claim Exeter's second try, which his brother converted.
Toulouse had only conceded a total of 19 second-half points across seven games in this season's Champions Cup, so Exeter still had everything to do.
They had to absorb more pressure as Toulouse went back on the front foot, but a break by Chiefs' Scotland international full-back Stuart Hogg established momentum, and Exeter's pack prospered.
And again it was Williams who emerged from under his fellow forwards, claiming a second try and Exeter's third. with Simmonds' conversion leaving Toulouse 10 points adrift.
And then Joe Simmonds put Exeter in dreamland, shredding the Toulouse defence to score a brilliant solo try that he also converted, and booking a date with Racing on October 17.
They've done it! Exeter are through to their first Champions Cup final! Momentous moment for the Devon club, just over a decade from their first Premiership game. Toulouse started well but Exeter's power shone through in the end.
04:18 PM
79 mins - Exeter 28-18 Toulouse
Forwards pass from Bales ends another Toulouse attack. Two semi-final losses in a row now, after falling to Leinster last year. Exeter minutes away now and win a scrum penalty.
04:14 PM
TRY LEBEL! Exeter 28-18 Toulouse
One final flourish from the Chiefs? No it's Toulouse who score! Huge overlap, nice switch and Lebel scores. Converted.
04:08 PM
TRY J SIMMONDS! - Exeter 28-11 Toulouse
Superb tap tackle stops O'Flaherty from scoring! Exeter looked clean through. They are now!! J Simmonds throws a dummy and scores by the posts! Exeter are heading to the final! Simmonds converts his own try.
Exeter go wide, Hogg feeding O'Flaherty, before Ramos goes for the interception and knocks on. Exeter scrum.
04:03 PM
66 mins - Exeter 21-11 Toulouse
Huge blow for Toulouse as Kolbe limps off. You just sense it's not going to be their day.
04:01 PM
62 mins - Exeter 21-11 Toulouse
Still a way to go, but already thinking about the journey Exeter have been on. Ten years ago they were promoted. Now they're 10 points up over the four-time champions in the European cup. Remarkable.
Penalty for the Chiefs deep inside their half and J Simmonds clears to touch.
03:55 PM
TRY HEPBURN! Exeter 21-11 Toulouse
A second for the loosehead! Toulouse's pack couldn't stop him close to the line. Is that the score that breaks Toulouse? Exeter dreaming of a first final. Huget now off injured. Converted.
03:53 PM
58 mins - Exeter 14-11 Toulouse
Exeter hammering the door here. Can they find a way over? So many phases close to the Toulouse line. Are they over?! The TMO will have to check.
03:50 PM
54 mins - Exeter 14-11 Toulouse
Toulouse's scrum cracks! Exeter win a penalty inside their own 22 and clear, before setting up a maul. Now Slade tries to go wide but Maunder slips making a sidestep! Exeter though get a penalty and J Simmonds puts it in the corner.
03:45 PM
50 mins - Exeter 14-11 Toulouse
Toulouse's turn to attack, reaching Exeter's 22, but the Chiefs' defence holds as they force a knock-on.
03:43 PM
47 mins - Exeter 14-11 Toulouse
Scrum for Exeter after a long kick from Toulouse rolls beyond the dead ball line. Still very little in it. Kolbe takes a high ball and Exeter pounce for a turnover penalty.
03:37 PM
44 mins - Exeter 14-11 Toulouse
Ramos with a long-range penalty attempt but it drops just under the bar, and from the restart Toulouse are then penalised. Chance for Exeter to get some territory and Slade finds touch.
03:32 PM
We're back underway
Big 10 minutes for the Chiefs - can they knock Toulouse's confidence?
03:17 PM
HALF-TIME: Exeter 14-11 Toulouse
And that's the break - a rapid half with Exeter getting two powerful tries from short range and Placines finishing a well-worked score for Toulouse. It's tight.
A proper ding-dong scrap this, as the England international powers over! Easy conversion for his brother Joe. Exeter back ahead.
03:12 PM
TRY PLACINES! Exeter 7-11 Toulouse
Toulouse hit back! Kolbe with a brilliant break, stepping, cutting, before the ball is flung wide to Placines who finishes in the corner! The replacement lock gets their first try. No conversion from Ramos.
03:07 PM
TRY WILLIAMS! Exeter 7-6 Toulouse
It's been coming - Exeter get into those forward drives they do so well and the England prop drives over from close range. Easy conversion and Exeter lead for the first time.
03:02 PM
26 mins - Exeter 0-6 Toulouse
Exeter back in the Toulouse 22 but again thwarted at the ruck! Huge shame after a sharp attack down the blindside with Whitten making the break.
02:58 PM
22 mins - Exeter 0-6 Toulouse
Blow for Toulouse as Arnold departs holding his arm gingerly. Adds so much physicality to their pack. Three Exeter players bundle Kolbe into touch and then Maunder boots the ball clear for the Chiefs.
02:53 PM
20 mins - Exeter 0-6 Toulouse
Mess of a scrum but it's a penalty Exeter's way and they clear their lines.
02:51 PM
19 mins - Exeter 0-6 Toulouse
Toulouse go close! Huget runs out of space in the corner, pushed into touch by Hogg going for the line. Exeter struggling here.
02:49 PM
16 mins - Exeter 0-6 Toulouse
Another Toulouse penalty, this time against Skinner for playing the man in the lineout. Ntamack finds touch about 30 metres from Exeter's line.
02:48 PM
PENALTY RAMOS! Exeter 0-6 Toulouse
Drills it. Toulouse cooking well here.
02:45 PM
12 mins - Exeter 0-3 Toulouse
Impressive start from Toulouse here, very composed, putting Exeter under pressure as Ewers gives up a penalty in his 22. Ramos to double their lead? He'll take a shot.
02:42 PM
10 mins - Exeter 0-3 Toulouse
Ntamack close to an interception but knocks on. Exeter scrum just inside Toulouse's half. Carries from Sam Simmonds, Hill, Slade, before Exeter look wide but the blitz defence from Toulouse is good and they get a breakdown penalty! Chance to clear.
02:41 PM
8 mins - Exeter 0-3 Toulouse
Exeter's turn to attack, pinning Toulouse deep before Ramos clears. Huget looks to have picked up a knock and is receiving treatment.
02:36 PM
PENALTY RAMOS! Exeter 0-3 Toulouse
The visitors strike first, a chip shot for the France full-back.
02:36 PM
4 mins - Exeter 0-0 Toulouse
Few stoppages so far, open game as Toulouse charge again and get a penalty! Chance for points.
02:34 PM
2 mins - Exeter 0-0 Toulouse
Phases for Toulouse in Exeter's half, a run for Kolbe down the touchline. Now shifted left, Exeter rallying. Kolbe scampers out wide but is shackled and Exeter will clear with a box kick.
02:32 PM
Kick-off!
Put into touch by Toulouse after J Simmonds kicks off. Exeter quick with the lineout but Toulouse turn the ball over.
02:31 PM
Looks windy at Sandy Park
Which isn't a shock, as regular attendees will know. Both teams take a moment to recognise the support of their spectators who can't make it today with some applause.
02:30 PM
Final moments before kick-off
Out come the sides, Toulouse in red, Exeter in... purple? Lilac? Not their usual black strip.
The sense last season was that a Champions Cup semi-final against a side as experienced as Leinster had come too early for a Toulouse group blessed with a handful of quality veterans - Jerome Kaino, Yoann Huget, Charlie Faumuina - but otherwise short of experience at this level. Dupont, Ntamack, Thomas Ramos and the rest, odd as it might sound, will all be better off for that heavy 30-12 semi-final defeat last season in Dublin, and Toulouse are a far better side this time with hooker Julien Marchand available.
02:22 PM
Final messages for Toulouse
Toulouse team huddle before the European Challenge Cup semi final match at Sandy Park - PA
02:18 PM
Is this Exeter's time?
Here are the thoughts of ex-Munster back-row, Alan Quinlan.
Rob Baxter is hopeful that Exeter will "weather the storm" as rugby union continues without crowds against an alarming financial back-drop.
The Rugby Football Union is forecasting losses totalling £106 million as a result of measures designed to limit a second wave of coronavirus infections that will prevent Twickenham from hosting fans for up to six months.
And Premiership Rugby has asked for a "rescue package" after warning of "irreparable damage to our clubs" by an absence of crowds for the the foreseeable future.
Exeter could reach the Heineken Champions Cup and Gallagher Premiership finals next month, with both showpiece occasions set to go ahead behind closed doors, which will be the case for Saturday's Sandy Park semi-final against Toulouse.
"You always imagine quarter-finals and semi-finals of Europe being these huge occasions based on the build-up to the game, everything, flame-throwers around the pitch, music going on, the crowd going mad," Exeter rugby director Baxter said.
"They are amazing days, and it is a shame, but at the same time it doesn't dilute what has to happen on the pitch.
"I am a director and I sit on the (Exeter) board, so I see the financial predictions, the budgets, the expectations of what we need crowd-wise, what we need to be taking over the bar, what we need the conference centre to do.
"And those things for obvious reasons are under pressure when people are either in semi-lockdowns or conference centres and sporting venues aren't allowed to open.
"For obvious reasons, there is pressure on us financially. We think we will be fine, bigger picture, longer term.
"We think we are a very stable business, we think we have got things in the pipeline that will help.
"So, as long as we don't seem to be in a lockdown for eternity, which is kind of what it's been like at the moment, if there is something sensible moving forward over the coming months, then we think we will weather the storm.
"There is a reality that this cannot go on if we genuinely as a country want sport and sporting venues to be able to continue and provide what they do for their communities.
"Outside of professional sport, a lot of sports clubs that just provide community service are just going to disappear. You can't run businesses on zero finance.
"Let's hope there is a genuine concern taken by the Government in how they aim to help us and how they also aim to get crowds back in as soon as they possibly can."
Baxter underlined how Exeter's relationship with local clubs has been an essential part of their growth from a Championship outfit 10 years ago to being crowned Premiership champions in 2017 and now standing one win away from a European final.
"We take a great deal of pride in our relationship with local clubs, how we foster them and 100 per cent do not want to think of local clubs suffering," he added.
"There are way more Exeter academy players playing for local clubs than there are playing for Exeter. That is how the numbers game works.
"We have a great relationship with local clubs as to how that all happens and how players move and work. All that is fantastically-important to us.
"We genuinely think that we can give young players pathways.
"If they can't make it through into professional ranks, then at least we can help them into work so that they are well-set for life outside of rugby, but still maintain social enjoyment of the sport."
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