‘Smart player’ Jonny Gray hailed after hat-trick heroics
Exeter assistant coach Ali Hepher applauded the performance of hat-trick hero Jonny Gray after he helped the Chiefs ease past Montpellier in the Champions Cup.
The second-row crossed three times at Sandy Park in the 42-6 victory, with Stuart Hogg, Don Armand and Sam Simmonds also going over for Exeter in Devon.
Fly-half Joe Simmonds converted all six of the tries while for Montpellier, two penalties from Louis Foursans were their only points as they were brushed aside.
Smart player
Hepher said: “It took Jonny a time to get on the scoreboard when he first came here and I’m not sure he’s ever scored three.
“However he’s a smart player as he assessed the time to pick and go after we had thinned them out.
“He’s been out for a long time with a bad injury but it’s great to have him back as we’ve got to keep him rolling as he thinks ahead of the game.”
It took Exeter some time to wear down a durable but limited Montpellier side.
The visitors took the lead with two penalties and only trailed 7-6 at the interval before Chiefs stepped things up to make the second half one-way traffic.
Hepher said: “We are not starting especially quickly overall but this week we have little reasons why we didn’t do so as there has been a bug in the camp and it was therefore a tough training week.
“The guys fought their way through it and to get a bonus-point win sets us up nicely in the group as you have got to win your home games.
“We were passive in the first half as we stood and watched them but like last week against Saracens we reset ourselves to create opportunities, which we took well.
“It’s often difficult to play against much-changed sides as they come out with nothing to lose and they certainly troubled us in the first half.”
Next up for Exeter in Europe is an away trip to Glasgow next weekend, who are frequent opponents for Chiefs in the competition.
Hepher said: “It’s a tough game as we’ve never won up there although we got a draw last time. Any win on the road is vital and they are a tough physical side.
“It was important today to back up last week’s win over Saracens as that was very emotional. Next week is the third in this series so we need to empty our tank and come away with a victory.”
Steve Borthwick proud as Leicester continue winning run
Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick was delighted after his side started their Champions Cup campaign with a 16-13 victory over Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday.
The Tigers have now won 13 competitive matches on the spin, with this victory seeing them battle past the Top 14 leaders thanks to a late George Ford penalty.
“I’m proud of these players,” said Borthwick after the away triumph.