Exeter Chiefs vs Racing – Heineken Champions Cup final player ratings

Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs lifted their first European crown, a decade on from their promotion to the top tier of English rugby. Following their scintillating victory at Ashton Gate, Robert Rees rates each of the players’ performances. 

Exeter Chiefs

Stuart Hogg – 7

A few shaky moment in defence, but a very solid final for the Lions fullback.

Jack Nowell – 7

‘Red Bull gives you wingers,’ and ones who give you a dangerous ball carrier in big cup finals.

Henry Slade – 8

A big performance from the English centre put Chiefs on the front foot from the get go.

Ian Whitten – 6

Nothing special from Whitten, but nothing wrong either.

Tom O’Flaherty – 8.5

A dangerous outing from the winger, who troubled Racing whenever he had ball in hand.

Joe Simmonds – 7

Led his team strongly, but wasn’t their most dangerous back.

Jack Maunder – 7

Got Chiefs plenty of quick ball to ensure they remained on top for large periods.

Alec Hepburn – 6.5

Struggled around the park, but ensured the maul and set piece was a weapon.

Luke Cowan-Dickie – 7.5

Another try for the hooker and despite a few shaky line-outs he had a superb match.

Harry Williams – 8

Destructive at scrums and around the park.

Jonny Gray – 7.5

100% tackle success from the Scottish tackle machine says it all about his outing.

Jonny Hill – 7

Another solid game for Hill, who battled hard in both attack and defence.

Dave Ewers – 6.5

Wrong end of the penalty count, but an otherwise solid final for Ewers.

Jacques Vermeulen – 7

Carried well and disrupted the breakdown nicely.

Sam Simmonds – 9

Chiefs best player and the deserved European Player of the Year.

SUBS

Jac Yeandle 6, Ben Moon 5, Tomas Francis 5, Sam Skinner 5.5, Jannes Kirsten 6, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne 6.5, Ollie Devoto 6.

Racing 92

Simon Zebo – 8.5

Looked extremely dangerous and shocked fans when he was subbed.

Louis Dupichot – 7

Quiet at times and needed more of the ball.

Virimi Vakatawa – 9

The totemic frontman of Racing powered on to 120 metres and only went off late on due to injury.

Henry Chavancy – 7

Solid game and mixed play up nicely in midfield.

Juan Imhoff – 7.5

Bagged himself a try and made a few darting runs to trouble Exeter’s defence.

Finn  Russell – 6.5

The mad mixed with the brilliant, but he should have called the drop goal at the end.

Teddy Iribaren – 5

Far too many mistakes from the starting scrum half and unsurprisingly hooked off at the break.

Eddy Ben Arous – 7

Pushed hard against a powerful Chiefs pack and looked decent around the park.

Camille Chat – 7.5

A try for the French hooker sealed a strong performance.

Georges-Henri Colombe – 6.5

The young man went well in his first Heineken Champions Cup final.

Bernard Le Roux – 7

Plenty of defensive hard work gets Le Roux a solid score.

Dominic Bird – 7

A vital cog in the engine today, contributed strongly.

Wenceslas Lauret – 7.5

A fine outing for the French international, who looked dangerous when carrying.

Fabien Sanconnie -7

Slowed Chiefs ball down slightly throughout and looked solid in attack.

Antonie Claassen – 7

Needed to offer more as an eight, but was solid enough.

SUBS

Teddy Baubigny 6, Hassane Kolingar 5, Ali Oz 5.5, Donnacha Ryan 5, Boris Palu 4, Maxime Machenaud 7.5, Olivier Klemenczak 4, Kurtley Beale 6.

 

The draw date for the 2020/21 competition is Wednesday October 28. Keep up to date with all rugby news on Twitter @LWOSRugby/@Rreesrugby and across all our channels and website.

 

 

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