Hot on the heels of their 14-9 defeat against the reigning champions at Sandy Park the Chiefs put in another great performance and were within five points of their hosts moving into the final quarter.

But Jonny Wilkinson came onto the field in the second half and immediately grabbed the bonus point try that put the game beyond the visitors. But even though they were down, the Chiefs weren’t out and they ended the scoring with a Ben White try that showed off their character.

Toulon went off hard and Smith crossed for the first of his two tries in the 12th minute, converting an overlap on the left for a try which went unconverted. But the Chiefs showed they were once again in no mood to be overawed as they stole a home line-out and turned it in to a try.

They spread the ball wide to Wales wing Tom James on the left and he cur inside past opposite number Alexis Palisson. He then found back row man Don Armand on his inside and he weaved his way past Seb Tillous-Borde to cross for a try at the posts.

Henry Slade added the conversion to give the Chiefs the lead. To add insult to injury, Palisson followed Chris Masoe to the sideline with a game ending injury before the end of a bruising first quarter.

Giteau’s boot was off target in the early stages, but shortly after missing with a second shot he cut the Chiefs’ defence to shreds as he set up a second score for Smith. While most of the Chiefs’ fans thought the pass was forward for the try, the TMO gave Irish referee John Lacey the authority to award the score.

Giteau added the conversion and then stretched the home lead with a penalty. But the visitors’ hit back on the stroke of half-time with a Slade penalty to cut the gap to five points at the break.

A second Giteau penalty gave the champions the perfect start to the second half and had England flanker Delon Armitage not lost the ball as he drove over the line the lead would have been further extended. But he fluffed his lines as he went over the line and Slade knocked over a penalty at the other end after Exeter recovered their poise and moving into the final quarter there were once again only five points between the two teams.

Then came the Toulon onslaught that not only secured the victory, but also earned them the bonus point they needed to open up a two point gap over Cardiff Blues at the top of the Pool. Replacement prop Xavier Chiocci barrelled his way over for a try that owed everything to Drew Mitchell’s inside raid off the right hand of recent replacement Jonny Wilkinson.

Giteau added the extras and then converted the bonus point try scored by Wilkinson at the foot of the right hand upright. That score took the champions 19 points clear and made victory safe.

But the Chiefs didn’t give up and a brilliant run by Luke Arscott almost ended in a try, Mitchell’s arm just preventing him from getting the ball own. But Exeter held onto their position and worked Aussie flanker Ben White over for a try which Slade converted to give them a boost at the death.

Qualification for the knock-out stages now looks beyond the Chief’s who are in third place in the Pool eight points behind Toulon and six behind the Blues.