• La Rochelle 12-31 Exeter
• Joe Simmonds kicks flawlessly, Sam gets bonus-point try
Just as they begin to falter on the domestic front, Exeter finally find some form in Europe. Typical. If Saracens are to adopt a philosophical position on Europe for a season, one of their most vocal critics may just be about to step up and show those sceptics on the continent that the Premiership challenge amounts to more than just that of the defamed champions.
This was a wonderfully hard and clinical performance from the Chiefs in one of the more ferocious dens of French rugby, which is saying something. La Rochelle are appearing in their second campaign in this tournament, but they fairly lit up their first and have not lost here in nine matches, or eight months. Four tries and 31 points speaks of quite the dismantling. Nor does it flatter. Exeter’s fans travelled in their numbers and had the measure of the locals as much as their heroes did on the field.
Written by Michael Aylwin
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/nov/16/la-rochelle-exeter-european-champions-cup-match-report-rugby-union under the title “Simmonds brothers lead Exeter to rampant victory at La Rochelle”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
