Chiefs find their form to blast out a Euro warning

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Castres………………………….. 12pts

Penalties: Dumora 22, 30, 34, 40

Exeter…………………………… 27pts

Tries: S Simmonds 19, Ewers 27, Maunder 44, Woodburn 60

Conversions: J Simmonds 28, 61

Penalties: J Simmonds 68

Exeter Chiefs put their indifferent Premiership form behind them to record an outstanding bonus point win Castres, the perfect tonic as they look to relaunch their season.

Prior to the game Castres had been frustrated by the organisers in their attempt to reschedule the kick off time to accommodate those wanting to watch the Anglo-French World Cup football and they seemed a little angry and bristling in the early stages.

Castres enjoy a mixed reputation in Europe but, bar injured players, they were fully booted and suited last night and, in any case, never go quietly at Stade Pierre Fabre.

With Exeter having recorded just one win in their last five games also fully focused, it made for a highly competitive start as each side sought to land the first blow.

The Chiefs were in ultra-positive mode – trying to make things happen? – and their back three of Stuart Hogg, Olly Woodburn and Jack Nowell looked to counter attack whenever possible. It was a statement of intent but too often the ball carrier became isolated and Castres dominated the early breakdowns and turnovers.

It was Sam Simmonds, headed for France next season with Montpellier, who finally broke the deadlock at the end of the first quarter when he seized onto a clever half break and off-load by Sam Maunder and sprinted home in that unstoppable way of his. Brother Joe couldn't convert from the touchlines but Chiefs were up and running.

As were Castres a few minutes later when lock Dafydd Jenkins gave away a penalty and the veteran Julian Dumora slotted from mid-range.

Exeter though were in the mood and struck again with Dave Ewers powering over from short range after another strong burst from Sam Simmonds. A tad contentious this one as preceding those two carries had been a seemingly endless attacking Exeter maul that was going nowhere and, in the Premiership, would almost certainly have resulted in a turnover, Castres ball.

Castres and indeed their fans weren't amused but kept plugging away with three more well struck penalties from the ageless Dumora to go down the tunnel all square.

Exeter had lost momentum but regained it quickly with a couple of slick attacks and then a tryline siege which ended when Maunder spotted a small gap and dived over to touch down. Castres claimed Sam Simmonds had taken out a would-be tackler ahead of the ball but Frank Murphy was not moved and the Chiefs were back in the lead.

That finally stunned Castres into a turbo charged passage of attacking play – they can operate at another level when the force is with them – and Exeter had to man the pumps. A series of scrums ensued with Exeter repeatedly offending and testing referee Murphy's patience before Castres lost the plot when Tyler Ardron picked up from No.8 and got cut down by Sam Simmonds and jackaled by Ewers.

All that pressure just dissolved and, like the champion team they are, Chiefs immediately rubbed salt into the wound with a smartly taken bonus point try with Hogg making rapid ground down the left before releasing the speedy Woodburn who sprinted in under the post.

Exeter were back in control and even the arrival of another veteran and crowd favourite, Rory Kockott, could not change that. Kockott retired in the summer but such is Castres' injury woes at nine he laced up again to help out.

His presence was entertaining but Castres couldn't rise to the occasion and Joe Simmonds put the game beyond doubt with a penalty to complete a job well done for Chiefs.