Stuart Hogg scores 45-metre drop goal to help Exeter beat Munster

Stuart Hogg scores sensational 45-metre drop goal to help Exeter beat Munster in first-leg of their Champions Cup last 16 clash…despite being reduced to 13 men with 20 minutes remaining at Sandy Park

• Munster were beaten by Exeter in first-leg of their Champions Cup last 16 clash 
• Exeter dominated the first half on Saturday and they were 10-0 up at the break
• Meanwhile, Munster had Jack O’Sullivan sent to the sin bin just before half-time 
• However, Munster only conceded a drop goal in the second half of the game
• Stuart Hogg scored a remarkable 45-metre drop goal in the 65th minute

Dave Ewers warned his Chiefs team-mates of another ‘massive battle’ ahead in the return at Thomond Park after the hosts bravely held out to take a crucial advantage in their Champions Cup clash.

Rob Baxter’s men had to call upon all their reserves of grit, desire and resilience in the first leg of the last 16 clash to thwart a Munster side after the men from Devon were reduced to 13 men with 20 minutes remaining at Sandy Park.

Exeter appeared to have thrown it all away when Ollie Woodburn and Pat Schickerling were sin-binned. But somehow Rob Baxter’s side held out under an onslaught and will fancy their chances of completing the job and reaching the last eight.

Rob Baxter’s men beat Munster in first-leg of their Champions Cup last 16 clash on Saturday

Exeter appeared to have thrown it all away when Ollie Woodburn (middle) and Pat Schickerling were sin-binned but somehow Baxter’s side held out

Ewers claimed: ‘We are pleased with the result and it’s important to have that small lead going into what will be a massive game at their place next week.’

Tries by Stuart Hogg and Jacques Vermeulen helped Chiefs lead 10-0 at half-time with Munster having Jack O’Sullivan sent to the sin bin just before half-time.

Munster’s outstanding defence kept the hungry Chiefs at bay and fly-half Ben Healy’s penalty finally put the visitors on the board in the second half.

The contest turned dramatically when Chiefs round in the space of a minute when first wing Woodburn was shown a yellow card for striking hooker Niall Scannell on the head with his arm as he attempted a ruck clear-out.

Tries by Stuart Hogg and Jacques Vermeulen helped Chiefs lead 10-0 at half-time. However, Munster only conceded a drop goal in the second half of the game – which came from Hogg

Replacement prop Schickerling joined him in the sin bin moments later for foul play at a ruck. Hogg let fly with a long range drop goal attempt which flew over the posts to ease Chiefs worries. But a breakaway try from Shane Daly put Munster to within just five points.

Then came a spell of huge Munster pressure on the Exeter line as the visitors threw everything they had at trying to break through the thick blue wall in front of them. But Chiefs were able to defy the intense assault on their line, and just did enough to celebrate the victory as they returned to full strength by the end of the contest.

Munster coach Johann van Graan conceded: ‘It was a shame we couldn’t come away with a try from the pressure we had near the end but it is still all to play for at Thomond with the tie in the balance.’

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