In the days of the Roman Coliseum, it was tradition that you would fight to the death, upholding your honour at all times , writes Mark Stevens.
Well, Exeter Chiefs certainly did that at Bath's Recreation Ground, but their brave endeavours brought them only plaudits, rather than crucial league points and a prized scalp, following an absorbing Aviva Premiership encounter.
Returning to league action following their testing exertions in the Heineken Cup, the Chiefs seemed somewhat off pace in the opening exchanges and Gary Gold's side duly made them pay as they claimed early...
They have a warning around these parts 'Beware of the Wounded Tiger'.
Having come unstuck at home to defending Aviva Premiership champions Harlequins on home soil the week previous, Leicester Tigers clearly had no intentions of suffering a similar fate as they welcome Exeter Chiefs into town.
Undone twice in the top flight by Rob Baxter's side last term, there would be no repeat this time round for the Tigers, who ran in three tries through winger Adam Thompstone, plus a further 15 points from the boot of fly-half Toby Flood.
