LATE DRAMA! England outcast’s clutch kick steers Exeter to victory as Lyon keep playoff hopes alive

Henry Slade slotted a clutch conversion in a 19-17 victory over the Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park on Saturday in the Champions Cup, while Lyon defeated Connacht 34-20.

Slade missed out on selection for England’s 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign and has been pressing for a recall with his performance with Exeter this season.

The experienced centre rose to the occasion once again, converting winger Zack Wimbush’s try in the 77th minute to put his side into a 19-17 lead.

With time up on the clock, Glasgow Warriors looked to have scored a late winner when Euan Ferrie dived on the ball over the line, but the visitors were denied as Matt Fagerson was judged to have unbound too early.

In the end, it was tries from man of the match Jacques Vermeulen, replacement hooker Dan Frost and winger Wimbush sealed the win for Exeter Chiefs, with Slade adding two conversions.

For Glasgow, tries from Kyle Rowe and Sione Tuipulotu, two Duncan Weir conversions and a penalty from George Horne was not enough to see them over the line.

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Exeter Chiefs were on the back foot early on in the clash after form number eight Greg Fisilau spent ten minutes in the sin bin for his tackle on Duncan Weir.

The 20-year-old was perhaps fortunate not to see red for his tackle as he made head-on-head contact with the Glasgow Warriors’ pivot, while the resulting penalty gave the visitors the opportunity to open the scoring, which George Horne duly took as Weir departed for an HIA. Those would be the only points that Exeter would concede while down a man.

Wing Rowe was rewarded for seemingly chasing a lost cause in the 27th minute as he charged after a chip over the top from Horne. The Glasgow scrum-half looked to have overpowered his kick, but Rowe was in the perfect position to catch Ben Hammersley’s attempted volley as he sped away to score.

The hosts would have the final say of the half as South African back-rower Vermeulen spotted a mismatch from close range and simply forced his way over the line after an extended period of Exeter pressure in Glasogw’s 22.

The second half was just as cagey as the first as the two sides traded blows on attack with neither defence giving an inch.

Something special was needed on attack to break the second-half deadlock, and Glasgow produced it as lock Scott Cummings made a scathing break near just inside his own half. He was able to find Horne in support, and the number nine shifted the ball onto fullback Josh McKay, who drew in the last defender before putting captain Tuipulotu in space out wide. Tuipulotu made no mistake evading three tackles to score.

Exeter kept the pressure on Glasgow, and again, after another extended period in the visitor’s 22, they were rewarded. Vermeulen went close to grabbing a second, and while he was short, Exeter retained possession well, and it was replacement hooker Frost who benefitted as he forced his way over from a pick and drive. Slade missed the conversion, setting up a thrilling final 15 minutes with just five points in the game.

The hosts looked to have levelled the scores soon after when lock Lewis Pearson produced a glorious chip over the top for winger Wimbush, who pounced to score with his first touch off the bench. However, the score would be called back for an earlier knock-on.

Wimbush would get his try soon after as Exeter whipped the ball wide to him as he dived over in the corner, and Slade added the extras.

With the clock running down, Exeter Chiefs had a scrum just five metres from their own line and Glasgow looked to force an error from the host. However, they were over-eager as Ferrie dived on the ball but the officials judged that they had forced the error illegal and Exeter held on for the win.

Lyon keep playoff hopes alive

Meanwhile, Lyon kept their last 16 hopes alive with a 34-20 victory over Connacht.

The Irish Province got off to a flyer as back-rower Sean Jansen scored a stunning 60-metre try in the ninth minute but Lyon’s response was emphatic.

Thaakir Abrahams and Alexandre Tchaptchet both grabbed first-half scores as Paddy Jackson added two conversions and a penalty.

Connacht had the final say of the half through Cian Prendergast’s try as they trailed 20-10 at the break.

JJ Hanrahan’s conversion on Dyulan Tierney-Martin’s try made it a three-point game shortly after the break, but again, Lyon was quick to respond through hooker Mickael Guillard.

Hanrahan added a penalty, but Lyon was too strong as Abrahams rounded out the scoring with a try in the 74th minute to seal the win.

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