Leinster 22 Exeter Chiefs 17

Exeter’s search for a first European win over Leinster will continue for a day or two yet, but the Chiefs will ultimately be kicking themselves after letting a golden opportunity pass them by.

For at least an hour, Rob Baxter’s men were the dominant force in Dublin, producing a solid shift in this pulsating Round Four encounter.

Sadly, their hopes of downing the three-time champions at the Aviva Stadium evaporated late on as Luke McGrath’s late score, plus the boot of Isa Nacewa, ensured the home side maintained their unblemished record in Pool 3.

Up until then, tries from Sam Skinner and Luke Cowan-Dickie, as well as seven points from Irishman Gareth Steenson, had put the English champions in fine fettle and on course for claiming a notable scalp.

Facing one another just six days after Leinster ended Exeter’s year-long unbeaten home record, the Chiefs arrived in the Irish capital not only looking for revenge for that defeat, but at the same time bidding to re-ignite their European aspirations.

Baxter made five changes to his starting line-up, drafting in Ben Moon, Tomas Francis and Skinner up front, while behind international duo Jack Nowell and Lachie Turner helped to form two thirds of the back three alongside the retained Olly Woodburn.

Leinster, meanwhile, made just one enforced change to their starting line-up from that which won at Sandy Park. With Rhys Ruddock out with a hamstring injury, Josh Van Der Flier filled the void in the back-row vacated by the Irish international.

With personnel in place, it was the Chiefs who flew out of the traps like a seasoned greyhound. Just three minutes had elapsed when the visitors landed their first telling blow. The pack laid the foundations, driving deep into the Leinster 22, before a simple pick-and-go approach created the opening for Skinner to drive over by the posts for the game’s opening try, converted by Steenson.

For the full match report, go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/leinster-22-chiefs-17