Exeter remain winless in Champions Cup after Gloucester defeat

Exeter Chiefs remain bottom of European Champions Cup Pool Two after a 27-19 defeat to Gloucester at Sandy Park left their hopes of progression hanging by a thread.

Despite flying high in the Premiership – two points behind leaders Saracens after nine matches – Exeter have struggled to make their mark in continental competition this season.

After a draw with Munster and a loss at Castres in their opening two fixtures, a second-half flurry of points for Gloucester, for whom Willi Heinz, Jaco Visagie and Ben Morgan went over, left the hosts languishing at the bottom of the group with three points from as many matches.

Gloucester move to the top of the standings, although a win for either side in Sunday’s clash between Munster and Castres would see them unseated.

Back in the game @gloucesterrugby stun @ExeterChiefs in their own back yard #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/jIoaUGPVrQ

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 8, 2018

Toulon picked up a well-timed first win in this season’s competition as they triumphed 38-28 over fellow Top 14 outfit Montpellier at Stade Mayol.

A win for Montpellier would have lifted them to at least within a point of Pool Five leaders Edinburgh, but Toulon’s bonus-point victory brings them level with their visitors, two behind Newcastle Falcons and five behind the table-topping Scottish club.

Pool One was the only group to see a full round of fixtures played on Saturday and Toulouse now sit two points clear of defending champions Leinster after a 24-16 win at Wasps.

Leinster had earlier put the pressure on the French side by winning 17-10 at Bath, who are now five points behind the Irish province and two ahead of Premiership rivals Wasps.

In the day’s other fixture, Glasgow Warriors stormed to a 42-22 win at Lyon to climb a point ahead of Saracens at the top of Pool Three.

Sarries host Cardiff Blues on Sunday.

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