Exeter Chiefs turn on the style as nine-try blitz sinks Sale Sharks

Exeter Chiefs produced a statement performance in Pool A of the Premiership Rugby Cup as they overwhelmed Sale Sharks with a thumping 59–14 victory at Sandy Park, crossing for nine tries in a one-sided contest.

The hosts set the tone early when Will Rigg opened the scoring, though Sale briefly threatened a response as first-time starter Gurswin Wehr crossed to level matters. Joe Bedlow soon restored Exeter’s advantage, only for Julian Heaven to reply for the Sharks in an entertaining early exchange.

That proved to be as competitive as the contest would get. Exeter tightened their grip on proceedings and began to assert their physical and attacking superiority, with tries from Will Goodrick-Clarke, Lewis Pearson and Rusi Tuima either side of half-time opening up a commanding lead.

Josh Iosefa-Scott powered over for the Chiefs’ sixth try as Sale struggled to contain wave after wave of pressure, and the floodgates remained open late on. Further scores from Martin Moloney, Tuima — claiming his second — and Campbell Ridl completed a ruthless display from the home side.

The emphatic win sees Exeter leapfrog Sale into second place in the pool, moving to within two points of leaders Gloucester and underlining their credentials as serious contenders in the competition.