Chiefs ripped open by brutal Toulouse display

Exeter Chiefs were given a lesson in attacking rugby by Investec Champions Cup holders Toulouse at Sandy Park.

The reigning champions rattled in ten tries in a display full of precision and power. Matthis Lebel and Pierre-Louis Barassi both scored twice, and there were further scores from Antoine Dupont, Julien Marchand, Thibaud Flament, Theo Ntamack, Bliar Kinghorn and Paul Graou.

Exeter did enjoy some cheer with tries from Tommy Wyatt (2) and Josh Hodge but that was not enough to mask the gulf in class and confidence, Toulouse eventually racking up a 21-64 victory.

The exceptional Dupont notched the first try after a line break from Francois Cros before Marchand picked up the ball from the back of a maul to dive over for the second. The Chiefs were well and truly on the ropes when Barassi scored the third underneath the posts.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso provided some home hope with a break down the line to release Wyatt for an opening Exeter try but Toulouse immediately responded with a clever pass from Dupont providing Flament with the room to score.

Dupont, again, was the catalyst for Barassi to make it five first-half tries for the visitors and Toulouse continued their dominance after the restart, Lebel diving over in the corner. Wyatt and Hodge notched further consolations but Toulouse still had time score three more tries in a performance that will act as a warning to the rest of Europe.