Chiefs make history with win

Exeter Chiefs added another piece of history into their short European history by claiming a first-ever win on French soil in the Champions Cup.

Sure, Rob Baxter’s side have triumphed on the other side of the Channel in Bourgoin and La Rochelle, but both those success stories came in Europe’s second tier competition.

In the wine-making region of Bordeaux, Baxter was able to toast a famous day for his team as they saw off their French rivals courtesy of tries from Thomas Waldrom and Luke Cowan-Dickie, plus ten points from the boot of fly-half Henry Slade (pictured).

With their European aspirations all but over following three successive defeats, the Chiefs arrived in France not only looking to restore some pride, but also avenge last weekend’s 13-7 home defeat by the same opposition.

Head coach Baxter took the opportunity to again rotate his squad, recalling  Cowan-Dickie and Phil Dollman after injury, while a number of others were also handed their chance to impress ahead of an important Premiership block coming up.

Bordeaux, meanwhile, were looking to press on in the Champions Cup. Their win in Devon, coupled with a home win over Ulster earlier in the competition, had put them in good stead to attack group leaders ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Buoyed by a vocal home support, the Top 14 hosts held the edge in the opening exchanges and almost broke the deadlock on five minutes when fly-half Lionel Beauxis – in for Irishman Ian Madigan – saw an early drop-goal chance float just wide of the right post.

For the full match report go to http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/bordeaux-begles-12-chiefs-20/