Champions Cup: Exeter thrashed by Toulouse, Saracens win while Glasgow and Bath suffer narrow defeats
Six-time champions Toulouse were in devastating form against Exeter, who slumped to a ninth successive defeat in major championships; Saracens beat Stade Francais while Glasgow Warriors and Bath pick up bonus points in narrow defeats
Sunday 15 December 2024 21:29, UK
British clubs had a mixed Sunday in the Champions Cup as Exeter were thrashed by reigning champions Toulouse, Saracens won while Glasgow Warriors and Bath suffered narrow defeats.
Exeter 21-64 Toulouse
Antoine Dupont was the star of the show as Toulouse routed Exeter 64-21 in the Investec Champions Cup.
It was a masterclass from Toulouse with 10 tries and bonus points backing up their comfortable opening round against Ulster with a second score of over 60 points.
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Five first-half tries from Dupont, Julien Marchand, Matthis Lebel, Thibaud Flament and Pierre-Louis Barassi to leave the hosts reeling.
Lebel and Barassi completed doubles early in the second period before Theo Ntamack, Blair Kinghorn and Paul Graou scored as Toulouse took their try tally into double figures.
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Full-back Thomas Ramos kicked seven conversions.
Tommy Wyatt scored two tries for Exeter and Josh Hodge also crossed, all converted by Henry Slade.
"There were a few things they did that were almost undefendable and a couple of set-plays from set-piece were very difficult for us to get on top of," Exeter rugby director Rob Baxter said.
"We looked like a team that is kind of struggling with that level of confidence to let ourselves play. We don't quite move the ball when we have got opportunities.
Toulon 30 - 29 Glasgow
In Pool 4, Glasgow Warriors came up just short as they went down 30-29 Toulon.
Johnny Matthews' late try, which was converted by George Horne after Josh McKay and Olujare Oguntibeju had gone over for the visitors, dragged them to within a point of the French side, who prevailed courtesy of Leicester Fainga'anuku's double and Brian Alainu'uese's try despite yellow cards for Baptiste Serin, Lewis Ludlam and Marius Doman.
Benneton Treviso 22 - 21 Bath
Bautista Bernasconi's late try condemned Bath to an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton.
The Gallagher Premiership leaders, who had Louis Schreuder and Max Ojomoh yellow-carded, led 21-17 at Stadio Monigo courtesy of tries from Niall Annett, Josh Bayliss and Thomas du Toit, all of them converted by Orlando Bailey, with a minute remaining.
However, hooker Bernasconi crossed at the death to add to Rhyno Smith's double either side of Louis Lynagh's touchdown and Tomas Albornoz's only successful kick to snatch victory.
Stade Francais 17 - 28 Saracens
England captain Jamie George was among the scorers as Saracens made Stade Francais pay for indiscipline with a 28-17 Pool 3 win at Stade Jean Bouin.
He, Liam Williams and Theo Dan all crossed with George's 45th-minute effort and Dan's seven minutes from time coming with the hosts, who scored through Peniasi Dakuwaqa and Leo Barr, down to 14 men as 13 points from the boot of Fergus Burke saw the visitors home comfortably.
