Chiefs do themselves proud

In the end it wasn’t quite to be for Exeter Chiefs, but boy did Rob Baxter’s troops give it one hell of a go in their final Aviva Premiership battle of the season.

With results in Leicester and Oxford ultimately transpiring against them, Devon’s finest just missed out in the final shake-up as the Tigers and Saracens joined Northampton Saints and Bath in next week’s play-off semi-finals.

In truth, the Chiefs could have done no more, seven tries on the day courtesy of Ian Whitten, Jack Nowell, Ben White, Matt Jess (2), Henry Slade and Byron McGuigan were the highlights as Exeter bowed out on a sensational high.

Gareth Steenson plundered the remainder of the home points with his trusty right boot, whilst in reply two tries from No.8 Josh Beaumont and a couple of penalties from Danny Cipriani were all the Sharks could muster. Heading into the final day of the regular season as one of three contenders for the final play-off berths, it was little surprise that Baxter stuck largely with the tried and trusted that had so bravely seen off Saracens the week previous.

England international Nowell, who missed the trip to Allianz Park, returned to take up full-back role, whilst up front a knock to the head meant Dave Ewers missed out and Don Armand returned to the starting line-up for the first time in weeks.

Sale, who themselves had an outside chance of claiming the final Champions Cup berth depending on a victory in Devon and a loss for Wasps at London Irish, were also at full-strength having rounded off their home campaign with victory over Newcastle Falcons last time out.

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