Exeter Chiefs reach Champions Cup semi-final for first time after beating Northampton 38-15

Exeter Chiefs 38-15 Northampton Saints, Sandy Park
Scorecard

Exeter Chiefs have progressed to the semi-final of the European Champions Cup for the first time as they defeated Northampton Saints 38-15 in the play-off at Sandy Park.

The Chiefs will now face Toulouse in the semi-final on 26th September while Racing 92 will lock horns with Saracens in the other knock out game.

Northampton plagued with injuries saw 19-year-old Manny Iyogun taking position at loosehead prop while Alex Seville on loan from Gloucester provided cover from the bench.

Dan Biggar got the Saints off the mark with a seventh minute penalty goal but Exeter responded back with Henry Slade racing past the visitors' defence setting up Jack Maunder to go over the line in the 17th minute and Joe Simmonds kicked the conversion.

The home side doubled their tally with Juane Vermeulen diving from close range in the 25th minute and Simmonds improved it to make the scoreline 14-3 but at the stroke of half-time the visitors reduced the gap to four points after Teimana Harrison dotted down at the back of a line-out and Biggar improved it.

Exeter were the quickest to get off the block in the second half when Stuart Hogg set up Jack Nowell for their third try and by the 54th minute they scored another try with Jonny Hill dotting down. Simmonds kicked both the conversions as the scoreline became 28-10.

Fraser Dingwall gave Saints some hope with a 57th minute try but Simmonds kicked three more points in the 61st minute after Iyogun was penalised for collapsing at the scrum. Saints kicked to the corner four times but could not quite transform them to the points.

As the closing stage was nearing, Vermeulen with his second ensured Exeter continued their impressive form this season with a 38-15 win to reach the semi-final of the tournament.