Chiefs defeated by Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers 45 Exeter Chiefs 15

If last weekend’s LV= Cup victory marked the champagne moment for Exeter Chiefs so far this season, Rob Baxter’s side were handed a sobering thought at Welford Road as Leicester Tigers maintained their push for the Aviva Premiership play-offs with a convincing five-try performance.

Richard Cockerill’s Tigers were in ruthless mood on their return to top flight action, mauling their Devon rivals with a vintage display that reaped tries for Manu Tuilagi, Logovi’i Mulipola, Vereniki Goneva, Adam Thompstone and a brace for Frenchman David Mele.

Owen Williams and Toby Flood slotted the remainder of the points for the Tigers who, on this display, will certainly be there or thereabouts come the end of season shake-up.

The Chiefs countered with tries from Jack Yeandle and Ian Whitten, as well as five points from the boot of fly-half Henry Slade, but they were rare highlights on a difficult day for the men from the Westcountry.

Fresh from that LV= Cup success, the Chiefs made two changes to their winning line-up from seven days earlier. England star Jack Nowell returned on the right wing at the expense of Matt Jess, whilst the injured Chris Whitehead was replaced in the middle of the front-row by the fit-again Yeandle.

Nowell’s international team-mate, flanker Tom Johnson, was also back in the fray following his latest run-out in the Six Nations, but the all-action forward was only afforded a place on the bench on his return to Exeter colours.

Like their rivals, the Tigers were also buoyed by the return of their England contingent, including Tom Youngs and Tuilagi, the latter of whom was making his first home appearance since the opening month of the season.

The powerful 22-year-old centre recently returned from a five-month absence due to a chest muscle injury to feature in Leicester’s win at Newcastle Falcons and then gained his 22nd England cap in last weekend’s win over Italy in Rome.

Also included was Scott Hamilton – a late call-up after Mathew Tait pulled out prior to kick-off through injury – whilst scrum-half Ben Youngs was making his 100th starting appearance, joining father Nick in becoming only the second father-and-son duo to reach the milestone in the club’s history.

It was, however, the Chiefs who were first to show in the East Midlands. Having absorbed early Leicester pressure, the Chiefs made their first inroads into Tigers territory pay dividends as Slade slotted them in front with a seventh-minute penalty after the home side were penalised for coming in at the side.

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/ Pinnacle Photo Agency

See more at: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/tigers-45-chiefs-15/#sthash.xka0wllJ.dpuf

Referee: D Richards

Attendance: 23,466

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Gloucester (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, March 29 (3pm)