Toulouse power past Exeter to reach last four

• Published date: 15 April 2024
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

The French giants were made to fight in an end-to-end first half, but in the end their vast European experience proved too much for Rob Baxter’s youthful side, who were denied the opportunity of an all-English semi-final with Harlequins

It was the Chiefs who started on the front foot, taking the lead inside five minutes when Henry Slade slotted them in front with a penalty.

That early lead, however, lasted just a matter of minutes as Toulouse claimed the game’s opening score when a burst down the left flank from Matthis Lebel carved the opening for Romain Ntamack to glide over for the try, converted by Blair Kinghorn.

A second Slade penalty kept the visitors firmly in the hunt, before fellow England international Ethan Roots got the Chiefs back in front once more, thundering his way over from a crafty tap penalty move, which Slade was able to add the extras to.

Kinghorn and Slade exchanged successful penalties apiece But, as half-time approached, it was the French side who clawed their way back in front.

Centre Pita Ahki was the architect, his powerful run shaking off the attentions of Josh Hodge, before he fed the ball to ack Willis, who steamrollered his way over Harvey Skinner for the converted score.

Although there was little to choose between the sides at the turn, it was Toulouse who came out firing in the second period. Playing with advantage just minutes into the half, the hosts used their powerful pack to punch their way into enemy territory, the fruits of which allowed Kinghorn to find his way over for the score he also converted.

Worse was to follow just moments later as Ahki was able to race over for their fourth score, the centre given the freedom of the field as he finished off a...