Bayonne Clinches Dominant Victory over Exeter in Champions Cup (J4)

In the conclusion of the Champions Cup pool stage, Bayonne emerged victorious with a commanding performance against Exeter at Stade Jean-Dauger, winning by a scoreline of 40-17.

Bayonne couldn't have asked for a better way to end their Champions Cup campaign. Prior to their participation in the Challenge Cup round of 16, having secured fifth place in Pool 3, the Basque team delivered a resounding blow to the Exeter Chiefs, securing their first victory in the prestigious continental competition. The Aviton players started the match with great intensity. In the 2nd minute, Tom Spring thrilled the crowd at Stade Jean-Dauger with the opening try of the game. Taking advantage of a post-contact pass from Sireli Maqala, the Bayonne fullback dived over the try line, making the conversion kick by Thomas Dolhagaray straightforward. With their place in the Challenge Cup round of 16 already secured, the players under Grégory Patat's leadership played without any inhibitions, sending off an offensive onslaught, but failing to increase their lead. The Chiefs took advantage of the situation. Just before the 15-minute mark, Dan Frost combined perfectly with his scrum-half Tom Cairns, allowing Exeter to level the score. However, when Exeter gained possession of the ball, they were punished for a turnover. After a kick forward by Sireli Maqala, Konstantin Mikautadze seized the opportunity and touched down to regain the lead for Aviron Bayonnais, even though the conversion was missed. Bayonne's situation improved further when Ollie Devoto received a yellow card 15 minutes before halftime. The Chiefs' center was sanctioned for a tackle infringement that halted a potential Bayonne try-scoring opportunity.

Bayonne faced difficulties at the start of the second half

With a numerical advantage, the Basque team pushed for further points, but it wasn't until the very end of their advantage that they found the breakthrough. After a long sequence of close-quarter play, Thomas Dolhagaray opted to pass the ball wide to Aurélien Callandret. With no opposition in sight, the Bayonne winger easily scored, extending their lead by twelve points. The advantage quickly grew even larger. Just two minutes later, through a well-executed series of post-contact passes, Victor Hannoun found his way to the try line, with his kicker adding the penalty to push the Chiefs's deficit to 19 points. However, a cloud loomed over Stade Jean-Dauger when Thomas Dolhagaray, who was deemed offside by the referee, kicked the ball forward and subsequently received a yellow card. While Bayonne managed to hold their own in the three minutes leading up to halftime, it was a different story upon returning from the dressing rooms. Exeter showed a desire to regroup and quickly turned that desire into reality. Just one minute into the second half, Rus Tuima made a break off a long pass from Henry Slade, and Dafydd Jenkins was there to support and touch down for the Chiefs' second try.