TOULOUSE — Toulouse denied Exeter Chiefs a famous Champions Cup victory in France, fighting back to win a frenetic pool match 43-40 with 14 men after prop Rodrigue Neti's first-half red card.
Exeter had the chance to force a draw with the clock in the red but Henry Slade, who had converted five of his side's six tries, pulled a penalty from about 40 metres wide. The result leaves the 2020 champions with only a losing bonus point despite a hat-trick from Zack Wimbush, who started on the wing in place of injured England international Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Wimbush stunned the home crowd with a second-minute opener, but Toulouse replied quickly through Ange Capuozzo and a penalty try which also saw Exeter full-back Sam Harris sent to the sin-bin. Wimbush struck again soon after Neti was dismissed in the 16th minute for shoulder-to-head contact on Ross Vintcent, before tries from Joshua Brennan and Teddy Thomas put Toulouse 10 points clear. Back came Exeter while Thomas was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, with Jack Yeandle burrowing over and Stephen Varney touching down under the posts to make it 26-24 to the visitors at half-time after eight tries, four apiece, and two yellow cards.
The lead swapped hands several times after the break. Will Butt capitalised when Antoine Dupont's clearing kick was charged down to extend Exeter's advantage to nine points, but wonderful attacking play from the hosts wiped that out. Although Wimbush completed his hat-trick, a double from Matias Remue and a try from Romain Ntamack, who added three conversions, established a three-point lead for Toulouse. The home side then grabbed the advantage while Exeter replacement Ben Hammersley was in the sin-bin and held on when Slade's late kick drifted wide. Toulouse, the most successful club in Champions Cup history with six titles, named Remue, Thomas and Capuozzo alongside Dupont as captain, while Exeter were led by Dafydd Jenkins.