Exeter smash Lyon despite slow start

The reigning champions, Exeter Chiefs, found themselves 14-0 down in the round of 16 clash against Lyon but advance to meet the four-time champions Leinster next weekend.

Exeter Chiefs scored seven tries but were made to come from 14-0 down against a dogged Lyon side to eventually see off the French outfit 47-25 at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon.

Tries from Toby Arnold and Xavier Mignot in the opening 10 minutes gave Lyon a shock 14-0 lead, and when Jonny Hill hit back for the hosts, Jonathan Wisniewski slotted over a three-pointer to put Lyon 17-5 ahead on 18 minutes.

Hill then grabbed his second of the afternoon, again powering over from close range. The remarkable comeback was completed just before the break when Olly Woodburn first found the hole and hit Tom O’Flaherty for the try in the corner.

Ollie Devoto had the simple job of scoring at the posts due to the Exeter power play that proved much too strong for Lyon all afternoon. The second half continued in similar fashion with Jonny Gray again breaking through the line as Exeter worked across and found Dave Ewers who dived over with ease.

Exeter then sewed up proceedings with a penalty try and a seventh score soon followed with Stuart Townsend kicking in behind and finding Olly Woodburn in all sorts of space to dot down at the sticks. Dylan Cretin got a consolation try for Lyon at the death.