Exeter's power leaves the Sharks floundering

EXETER are a side who want to be unfazed by the pressure of these final championship rounds, and by securing this four-try away bonus point win to send Sale to their second successive defeat of the restart, they delivered on their mission statement in style.

- NICK CAIN

The Chiefs, now eight points clear of second-placed Bristol, are firm favourites to win their second Premiership title, having spoiled Manu Tuilagi’s home debut by weathering a first-half Sharks assault, before flooring them after the interval to put Sale’s semi-final chances in jeopardy.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter was pleased with the overall display: “We got challenged, and we went through a period where we were a bit afraid to play, and Sale sniffed it and went hard at us. But we worked our way through it, regrouped at halftime, and grew through the half as players started to step-up.”

Exeter had posted a warning when No.8 Sam Simmonds raced clear after two minutes, following an Olly Woodburn clean break from Henry Slade’s insidepass.