The French giants ruthlessly dismantled Exeter at Sandy Park with nine tries, leaving Rob Baxter’s team battered and searching for answers.

Toulouse unleashed a devastating display of skill and power at Sandy Park, thrashing Exeter Chiefs 64-21 in a Champions Cup encounter that will haunt the home side for years to come. The French side, led by the imperious Antoine Dupont, completely overwhelmed Exeter with their speed, precision, and attacking brilliance.

The first half alone was a relentless barrage of tries. Dupont orchestrated the carnage with his usual magic, setting up teammates and exploiting every defensive gap Exeter offered. Matthis Lebel, Pierre-Louis Barassi, and François Cros crossed the whitewash in rapid succession, leaving the Chiefs shell-shocked. Even the typically vocal Sandy Park crowd seemed stunned into silence as Toulouse raced to an unassailable lead.

Exeter managed a solitary glimmer of hope through Tom Wyatt’s try, but it was a brief respite in a sea of Toulouse dominance. By halftime, the scoreboard painted a grim picture: Toulouse 38, Exeter 7.

Second-Half Nightmare

The misery continued after the break. Toulouse refused to let up, adding four more tries, including another from Lebel, as well as Thibaud Ntamack’s stunning finish. Exeter scrambled to restore some pride, with Wyatt grabbing his second try and Josh Hodge crossing late on. But these moments were mere consolation in what was otherwise a relentless onslaught from the French giants.

Henry Slade, pressed into the fly-half role for the Chiefs, summed up the defeat’s magnitude in his post-match interview:

“Toulouse are an incredible team. They have threats everywhere. It’s tough to win the ball, and they showed their class tonight. Conceding 60 points at home is painful – for us and for our fans.”

What Went Wrong for Exeter?

Exeter’s lack of depth and experience in key positions became glaringly obvious against a side as well-drilled as Toulouse. Their defensive organisation faltered under pressure, while their attack rarely threatened Toulouse’s watertight defence. Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby, acknowledged before the match that his side needed to be near perfect to have any chance. Instead, they fell apart.

“We’ve lost several games by small margins this season,” Slade added, “but this was different. We have to own this performance and put it right next week.”

Toulouse: Champions in Waiting?

Toulouse’s emphatic victory solidified their status as the favourites for the Champions Cup. With star players firing on all cylinders, they look nearly unbeatable. Antoine Dupont once again proved why he’s considered one of the best players in the world, while Ramos’ reliable boot ensured no opportunities went to waste.

The French juggernauts seem intent on reclaiming European glory, and based on this performance, few would bet against them.

Exeter’s Road Ahead

For Exeter, the road ahead looks daunting. They return to domestic action next week, facing Sale Sharks in what now feels like a must-win match. Yet, after suffering one of their heaviest defeats ever, rebuilding confidence will be a challenge.

As Baxter and his team regroup, their focus must turn to rediscovering the grit and determination that once made them one of Europe’s toughest sides. However, the shadow of this 64-21 humiliation will likely loom large over Sandy Park for weeks to come.