French visitors teach Exeter Chiefs a lesson on home turf

Exeter Chiefs' first taste of Heineken Cup rugby in Devon turned sour as French visitors Clermont Auvergne served up a Saturday night treat at Sandy Park.

Vern Cotter's side were in inspired form as they ran in six tries - five of them in the second half - to maintain pole position of Pool 5 after the first two round.

The hosts led 12-10 at half-time through four Gareth Steenson (pictured) penalties, with Clermont replying via a Napolioni Nalaga try and Morgan Parra's boot.

However, two tries soon after the break from French internationals Wesley Fofana and Julien Bonnaire, helped put the visitors in command of proceedings.

As the Chiefs chased the game in the final quarter, Clermont showed their undoubted qualities as they wrapped up victory with further tries from Sitiveni Sivivatu, Fofana and Nalaga.

Chiefs: L Arscott; I Whitten, P Dollman, J Shoemark (S Naqelevuki 55), M Jess; G Steenson (I Mieres 63), H Thomas (W Chudley 60, B Moon 69); B Sturgess, S Alcott (C Whitehead h/t), C Rimmer (C Budgen 35-40, 76); T Hayes (capt), J Hanks (D Welch 63); T Johnson (A Muldowney 63), J Scaysbrook, R Baxter

Penalties - Steenson (4)

Yellow Cards: Baxter, Mieres

Clermont: L Byrne; S Sivivatu, A Rougerie (capt, B Stanley 60), W Fofana, N Nalaga; B James (D Skrela 67), M Parra (L Radosavljevic 73); T Domingo (V Debaty 47), B Kayser (T Paulo 60), D Zirakashvili (D Kotze 63); J Cudmore (L Jacquet 69), J Pierre; G Vosloo (E Vermeulen 28), J Bonnaire, D Chouly

Tries - Nalaga (2), Fofana (2), Bonnaire, Sivivatu; Conversions - Parra (3), Skrela (2); Penalties - Parra (2)

Referee: J Lacey (IRFYU)

Touch Judges: P Haycock & B MacNiece

4th Official: A Pearce

Attendance: 9,819

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS v Bath (A), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, October 27 (2.30pm)

For the full match reprot go to: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/latest-headlines?item=1900