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Exeter’s dismal Champions Cup campaign ends with drubbing by Ulster

By PA
Exeter best Ulster in Investec Champions Cup

Exeter were overwhelmed 52-24 by Ulster at Kingspan Stadium to bring their dismal Investec Champions Cup campaign to an end.

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The Chiefs, who made 12 changes, collapsed to their fourth defeat in as many outings in Europe with Zack Wimbush’s late try registering a bonus point and their only match point in Pool One.

Ulster’s first win in Europe this season could yet see them qualify for the knockout phase with the Sharks’ visit to Bordeaux on Sunday sealing their fate, but they are assured of a place in the Challenge Cup as a minimum.

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A pulsating first-half finished all square at 17-17 with Exeter exploding out of the blocks by scoring early tries through Will Haydon-Wood and Ross Vintcent, who showed pace and power for his solo score.

Ulster hit back when Cormac Izuchukwu and Dave McCann went over and there was still time before the interval for Rus Tuima and Nick Timoney to exchange tries.

But from the moment Rob Herring finished a driving maul in the 48th minute, Exeter looked a spent force with replacement scrum-half John Cooney bringing extra zip to the hosts.

Izuchukwu and Ben Carson were the next to go over for Ulster who, knowing the result was all but assured, were in search of the points that would improve their chances of progressing to the last 16.

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Exeter were inviting runners into large gaps and they were beached again by McCann before Izuchukwu went over for his hat-trick. Wimbush’s 79th-minute try at least meant they didn’t finish the campaign without a single match point.


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Tom 1 hour ago
How the England firm of 'Smith & Smith' toppled France

France played badly, England were much improved. If we can back it up then I'll get excited... But as you say France "should" have won. Although England were the better side in the second half and it's been a long time since England's second half performance was better than the opposition.


There were a few performances to make me optimistic:


Tom Curry - looks back to his best, between him and Underhill we have two exceptional flankers


Ben Earl - also looks to be getting back into some form, carried well


Tom Willis - gave more balance to the back row, finally we've found a proper test level number 8


Ollie Chessum - always been a skilled backrower and great lineout option but he looked much more physical and got really stuck in


Fin Smith - first half display was a struggle due to lack of experience as Borthwick has given him no opportunities, but he was so composed in the second half and made so many good calls with a balanced range of kicking passing and taking it to the line.


Henry Slade - he's struggled in a team playing a reductive gameplan but demonstrated that he's a classy operator in a team prepared to move the ball


All in all I really hope England gain some confidence and back themselves in the next match with ball in hand. I'm so sick of seeing the sort of wasteful grubber kicks that Lawrence put in which England have used far too much and with a total combined net meterage gain in the last few years of minus 1 million meters.

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LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'England are back in the fight, no longer the object of scorn.' Mick Cleary: 'England are back in the fight, no longer the object of scorn.'
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