Chiefs give champions a run for their money

They say that cream always rises to the top and so it proved as Jonny Wilkinson put the seal on a hard fought 14-9 victory for reigning Heineken Cup champions Toulon over hosts Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.

Just over ten years have elapsed since the talented playmaker dropped a goal in Sydney to win England their first and only Rugby World Cup.

Present day in Devon and the 34-year-old was at it again as his late three-pointer ensured the star-studded Frenchman escaped with a slender advantage over their industrious Westcountry hosts.

The Chiefs, who gave everything in pursuit of victory and points, could easily look back at the contest and think ‘if only’ – but with their heads held high, they will regroup once more and prepare to challenge Bernard Laporte’s men again at the Stade Mayol next week knowing they are not a million miles away from claiming arguably their biggest-ever scalp.

Returning to European action after Premiership defeats to Saracens and Bath, Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter stuck with an unchanged starting XV from that which had been undone at the Rec just seven days earlier.

Indeed, the sole change in Exeter personnel came on the bench where the long-serving James Hanks was preferred to Don Armand.

Toulon, meanwhile, were still licking their own wounds from a heavy loss at Stade Francais the week previous. However, the array of talent at the disposal of Laporte means that whoever takes to the field will offer something seriously tasty in terms of world rugby.

As it was, the Toulon XV led out by Wilkinson was easily the most eye-catching ever to take to the field at Sandy Park. Across the 23-man squad, it was not only a definite ‘Who’s Who’ of world rugby, but boasted some 825 international caps between them.

In reply, Exeter’s total was that of 38 – of which 33 of them came from their own inspirational on-field leader, Aussie Dean Mumm.

Referee: A Rolland Attendance: 10,744

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Toulon (A), Heineken Cup, Saturday, December 14 (2.35pm)

See more at: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-9-toulon-14/#sthash.mIK9kBaP.dpuf