Exeter Chiefs 46 Gloucester 10

Watching England head coach Eddie Jones was given plenty to ponder as he watched defending Aviva Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs seal their place in this season’s play-offs with an emphatic six-try victory over visiting Gloucester.

With a glut of Red Rose talent to peruse on the lush Sandy Park turf, Devon’s finest served up a sumptuous Sunday treat to maintain their position at the summit of the table.

First half tries from international duo Alec Hepburn and Sam Simmonds, plus another from Olly Woodburn, paved the foundations for the victory, which was sealed with a second half double from Jack Nowell and another from Gareth Steenson.

Fly-half Joe Simmonds - who ended with 14 points - also reminded Jones that there is another Simmonds brother in these parts making waves on the Westcountry coast.

In reply, Gloucester replied with a try from Calum Braley and five points from the boot of Owen Williams, but that was scant reward for them on a day when they were distinctly second best in all areas.

Having paraded 39 different players over the past fortnight against Bath in the Premiership, then in winning the Anglo-Welsh Cup a week ago, it was a powerful Chiefs line-up that took to the field for the visit of the Cherry & Whites.Just Dave Dennis and Joe Simmonds remained from the outset from the previous week, but the hosts were buoyed by the return of Luke Cowan-Dickie and Woodburn, as well as Nowell on the replacements bench.

Gloucester, fresh from their own success the previous week against Connacht in the European Challenge Cup, made four changes to their starting line-up.Up front, Josh Hohneck, Tom Savage and Ruan Ackermann all started as did Tom Hudson, who replaced Jason Woodward - the match-winner when the two sides met earlier in the season - at full-back.

For the full match report go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-46-gloucester-10