European Champions Cup Final - Exeter Chiefs v Racing 92 Saturday 17th October 2020

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Exeter Chiefs v Racing 92

European Champions Cup Final
Ashton Gate
Bristol

KO 16.45
Live on BT Sport


Hard not to argue that the two best sides are not in the final this year and it could be a fabulous match up of styles with the result very hard to call.

The attacking verve of the Parisians, who really can score from anywhere against the hard nosed defence and relentless pressure that Exeter can place on any side, there should be plenty for the fans and the neutrals to enjoy.

For me, the heart says Racing, with Finn Russel's brilliance breaking Exeter's hearts, but the head says the brutal pragmatism of Exeter will grind the French down and win the day.

king_carlos wrote:

Kingshu wrote:https://www.planetrugby.com/champions-cup-team-of-the-tournament-3/

Hill over Ryan on form for me. Henderson was very impressive in the group stages whilst Mako had one huge game in the QF so probably Henderson on Euro form. I'd perhaps argue that Hill and Ryan showed the best form across the tournament but maybe not the most balanced engine room with both of them. Then again it is a hypothetical side! 

Itoje was incredible Vs Leinster in the quarter final. He might not have played all the games for Sarries in the tournament this year but I can't remember many better performances from a lock this season. On form he's hard not to select albeit a bit of a boring and obvious one which I think is why they didn't pick him.

Kingshu wrote:https://www.planetrugby.com/champions-cup-team-of-the-tournament-3/

The next tournament's TOTT will be 15 Dragons.

Catalan?

Rugby Fan wrote:While the Racing coach has been slammed for taking off his best players, Quinlan told the OTB podcast Zebo was injured. Not sure about Chat on the 51st minute.

Zebo said on his podcast with Dylan Hartley that he was cramping up but would have liked to try switching to the wing, with Beale at 15, rather than going off.

Rugby Fan wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:While the Racing coach has been slammed for taking off his best players, Quinlan told the OTB podcast Zebo was injured. Not sure about Chat on the 51st minute.

Zebo said on his podcast with Dylan Hartley that he was cramping up but would have liked to try switching to the wing, with Beale at 15, rather than going off.

Easy for Zebo to say that but what then happens if he still has issues on the wing and needs to come off. You've already sacrificed a starting winger so are now scratching around the bench for someone to make up the back three. I can understand the coach taking the safety first approach given they were in a big final that was going end to end.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:While the Racing coach has been slammed for taking off his best players, Quinlan told the OTB podcast Zebo was injured. Not sure about Chat on the 51st minute.

Zebo said on his podcast with Dylan Hartley that he was cramping up but would have liked to try switching to the wing, with Beale at 15, rather than going off.

Easy for Zebo to say that but what then happens if he still has issues on the wing and needs to come off. You've already sacrificed a starting winger so are now scratching around the bench for someone to make up the back three. I can understand the coach taking the safety first approach given they were in a big final that was going end to end.

Was an good listen. Interestingly, his main gripe wasn't the penalty at the end but the line-out that preceded it - I hadn't caught it live, but Yeandle sacks the maul from the side - watching it back it's about as blatant as can be.

Good to hear that Zebo was cramping up. A sign tht Exeter's tactics to run the French around clearly worked. Hence Vakatawa lying on his back with his arms under his head in the final minutes as Racing were looking for the winning score.

If that isn't evidence enough that Exeter's tactics worked - and the aforementioned punditry 'suggesting' that Exeter should kick it in behind or do something else with the ball (grass is greener mentlity) - then I don't know what is. Taking away Racing's explosive power through keeping the tempo constant won Exeter the game. It was Gatlandball with a twist. Great way to play the game. Intelligent graft.

rugby racing and beer wrote:Good to hear that Zebo was cramping up. A sign tht Exeter's tactics to run the French around clearly worked. Hence Vakatawa lying on his back with his arms under his head in the final minutes as Racing were looking for the winning score.

If that isn't evidence enough that Exeter's tactics worked - and the aforementioned punditry 'suggesting' that Exeter should kick it in behind or do something else with the ball (grass is greener mentlity) - then I don't know what is. Taking away Racing's explosive power through keeping the tempo constant won Exeter the game. It was Gatlandball with a twist. Great way to play the game. Intelligent graft.

Agree. Apart from the Gatland Ball bit. Gatland tends to run his players into brick walls and play tight. Exeter went coast to coast quite a bit. Didn't run too much through the midfield where Chavancy and Vakatawa were waiting. They didn't make much ground but as you say making the big Racing pack chase them round the pitch stressed the fitness levels. A lot of effort for the outside backs to operate the pendulum and shoot out of the line to try and nullify the out of the back passes.

Exeter play like Munster but tend to throw it around more. I didn't think it would be pretty, but Chiefs make it look good. Fair play to them, cracking team and coach.