Clermont Auvergne 48 Chiefs 26

So often the bridesmaids when it comes to Europe and the Champions Cup, maybe this is the year where ASM Clermont Auvergne have their big day in the sun.

For a number of years the French giants have got halfway down the aisle, only to be jilted right at the last minute by a bitter rival who has subsequently claimed the prized crown.

On this latest showing, however, Europe’s elite need to take serious note. Exeter Chiefs were not only dumped out of this season’s competition by a ruthless first half showing at the Stade Marcel Michelin, but it was the manner in which they were brushed aside the Englishmen that will have others quaking in their boots.

Franck Azema’s side were 34-0 to the good at the turn as they claimed five tries in a ferocious first half display that yielded scores for Benjamin Kayser, Noa Nakaitaci, Wesley Fofana, Nick Abendanon and a penalty try.

Peceli Yato and Alexandre Lapandry added to the tally during a second period in which the Chiefs – no doubt warmed by a half time roasting from head coach Rob Baxter – were much improved.

The Englishmen not only pocketed four tries of their own through James Short, Ollie Devoto, Olly Woodburn and Michele Campagnaro, but they claimed a deserved losing try bonus point to ensure the travelling Tribe had something to shout about come the final whistle.

Ahead of kick-off hopes were high that the Chiefs, who had given themselves a potential qualification lifeline with victory over Ulster the previous week, could pull off another European miracle by downing the star-studded French outfit on their own turf. That, however, is no easy task, particularly as Clermont have not lost on home soil since January 2016.

RUGBYU-EUR-CUP-CLERMONT-EXETERRoared on by a near sell-out crowd, the home side got off to a flying start, opening the scoring inside three minutes. A loose line-out from Exeter hooker Jack Yeandle was seized upon at the tail by his opposite number Kayser, who just five metres from the line was able to barge his way over for the opening score, converted by Morgan Parra.

Minutes later and the hosts were adding to their tally, Fijian winger Nakaitaci the beneficiary on this occasion as he finished off strong approach play involving the impressive Remi Lamerat and Yato.

Although Parra was unable to convert that score, the French international made no mistake with a straight-forward penalty midway through the half to put his side three scores clear and in complete control of proceedings.

The Chiefs had hardly had a sniff of anything, but their afternoon was to turn decidedly worse as first Woodburn was deemed to have deliberately knocked forward a pass back inside from Abendanon. The Exeter flyer was duly dispatched to the sin-bin for ten minutes, whilst referee Andrew Brace – following a lengthy conflab with the TMO – decided to award a penalty try.

If that was not a big enough headache for Baxter, the sight of Devoto joining former Bath colleague Woodburn in the cooler for a perceived high tackle merely added to his woes. With the England star sidelined, the hosts exposed the numbers game out wide to send Fofana over by the posts for the bonus point score, converted by Parra to make it 29-0.

Four tries soon became five when, with three minutes of the half remaining, Abendanon got himself in on the scoring act, rounding a slick back move with a score in the right-hand corner.

Exeter did their best to try summon a response of sorts before the break, but although they huffed and puffed with a series of pick-and-go drives, they could find no way through the home defences.

Half time: ASM Clermont Auvergne 34 Exeter Chiefs 0