Toulouse survive early red card to edge Exeter 43-40 in Champions Cup

Toulouse beat Exeter Chiefs 43-40 in the Champions Cup on Sunday, surviving an early red card and a final chance for the visitors to level the scores. AFP reported that Matias Remue scored twice as the six-time European champions avoided their first home defeat in the competition since 2022. Exeter scored six tries but left without the victory.

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Henry Slade had an opportunity to make it 43-43 after Exeter were awarded a late penalty. According to BBC Sport's match report, his attempt from about 40 metres missed with time already expired. The centre had converted five of Exeter's six tries, but his final kick went wide. Zack Wimbush's three tries were therefore not enough to secure an away win.

Toulouse lost prop Rodrigue Neti in the 16th minute for shoulder-to-head contact on Ross Vintcent, BBC Sport reported. The home side were leading 12-7 at the time. Their numerical disadvantage did not stop them scoring through Joshua Brennan and Teddy Thomas before the interval, but Exeter answered through Jack Yeandle and Stephen Varney to lead 26-24 at half-time.

Will Butt then scored after Antoine Dupont's clearing kick was charged down, extending Exeter's lead to nine points. The hosts responded with second-half tries from Remue and Romain Ntamack, while Wimbush completed his hat-trick. AFP reported that Exeter still held a 40-38 advantage before Remue's second try restored Toulouse's lead with 12 minutes remaining. That left Slade's unsuccessful penalty as the visitors' final opportunity to draw.

Wimbush had been brought into the starting side because Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was unavailable. Exeter's team announcement on Friday said the England winger was continuing to monitor a hamstring injury. The club also confirmed Tom Hooper's selection alongside captain Dafydd Jenkins in the second row for the Pool Two opener against the reigning French champions.

Before the match, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter had described returning to the Champions Cup as an important aim of the previous season, according to the club's announcement. He emphasised Toulouse's ability to win through both forward pressure and open attacking play. Exeter produced six tries against that opposition, but the French side finished three points ahead.