Match Report: Exeter power to bonus-point win at Castres

Sam Simmonds, Dave Ewers, Sam Maunder and Olly Woodburn were the 2020 champions’ try-scorers as they secured a bonus-point victory at a notoriously tough venue.

Castres’ points came solely from the boot of Julien Dumora, with the TOP 14 side struggling to offer any sustained threat despite their competitiveness at the breakdown.

In a turgid first half, Exeter drew first blood as No.8 Simmonds, EPCR European Player of the Year in 2020, produced a typically impressive turn of pace to dart over in corner.

🤗 Lovely hands from the @ExeterChiefs back line as @OllyWoodburn secures the bonus point 🙌#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/rkpu73BuVI

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 10, 2022

Full-back Dumora put points on the board for Castres with a penalty on 23 minutes, but Exeter crossed shortly after as flanker Ewers powered over from close range.

But ill-discipline cost Exeter over the remainder of the half, with Dumora continuing to chip away at the visitors’ lead, the fourth of his penalties drawing Castres level on the stroke of half-time.

Exeter made a dream start to the second half as their pressure saw Castres wing Geoffrey Palis yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on before scrum-half Maunder darted over from close range.

However, the visitors were unable to take further advantage of their extra man, spending the majority of Palis’ sin-bin period under their own posts amid a series of Castres scrums.

Exeter survived that period of pressure, and despite Castres being back up to their full complement, the visitors produced their best rugby of the game as full-back Stuart Hogg ran from deep and fed Olly Woodburn for the bonus-point try with an hour played.

And Exeter’s defence held firm over the remainder of the contest, restricting Castres to few try-scoring chances, with a Joe Simmonds penalty on 68 minutes wrapping up an impressive win.

Exeter are at home to free-scoring Vodacom Bulls in Round 2 next Saturday, with Castres visiting Edinburgh Rugby on the same day.