Toulouse Denies Exeter Famous Win in Frenetic Champions Cup Clash

Toulouse staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Exeter Chiefs 43-40 in a thrilling Investec Champions Cup encounter, overcoming the disadvantage of a first-half red card.

Exeter had the opportunity to secure a draw with a last-gasp penalty kick, but Henry Slade’s attempt from approximately 40 meters sailed wide as the clock ran out.

Zack Wimbush was a standout performer for Exeter, scoring a hat-trick of tries. The club, champions in 2020, narrowly missed out on a significant victory on French soil.

Toulouse prop Rodrigue Neti received a red card in the 16th minute for shoulder-to-head contact on Exeter’s Ross Vintcent. At that point, Toulouse had a narrow 12-7 lead. The first half was a high-scoring affair, concluding with Exeter ahead 26-24 and featuring a total of eight tries, four for each team, alongside two yellow cards.

The lead continued to change hands after halftime. Toulouse took a crucial advantage while Exeter’s Ben Hammersley was in the sin-bin, ultimately securing their narrow win.

Early in the match, Wimbush opened the scoring for Exeter. Toulouse responded with tries from Ange Capuozzo and a penalty try, which also led to Exeter full-back Sam Harris being temporarily sent to the sin-bin. Wimbush scored his second try shortly after Neti’s dismissal. Further tries from Joshua Brennan and Teddy Thomas extended Toulouse’s lead.

Exeter fought back, benefiting from a yellow card shown to Thomas for a deliberate knock-on. Tries from Jack Yeandle and Stephen Varney brought them close.

In the second half, Will Butt capitalized on a charged-down kick by Antoine Dupont to extend Exeter's lead to nine points. However, Toulouse responded with strong attacking play. Wimbush completed his hat-trick, but doubles from Matias Remue and another try from Romain Ntamack put the home team ahead by three points.

Despite a late penalty awarded to Exeter, Slade’s missed kick meant they had to settle for a losing bonus point.

The match officials included referee Hollie Davidson from Scotland, with assistant referees Rob McDowell and Finlay Brown, and TMO Dave Sutherland.