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Lock Jonny Gray, who scored a hat-trick of tries for Exeter Chiefs in their 2021 victory over Montpellier Herault Rugby
Exeter Chiefs and Glasgow Warriors meet in the pool stage of the Heineken Champions Cup for the sixth time in only five seasons on Saturday.
Only in 2018/19 have they avoided each other in the draw, with Exeter holding the whip hand after three wins and a draw against the Scottish region.
Altogether they have faced each other seven times in the pool stage of the competition, Glasgow winning none of their last three clashes (drawing one and losing two), after winning three of their first four encounters with the Chiefs (losing one).
The Pool A clash takes place at Scotstoun Stadium, kicking off at 5.30pm, and is available to watch on BT Sport and beIN SPORTS.
Other key facts:
- Warriors have lost just two of their last 12 games when hosting Premiership opposition in the Heineken Champions Cup, winning nine and drawing one – those defeats coming against Northampton Saints in 2015/16 and Saracens in 2018/19.
- Exeter are unbeaten in their last eight pool stage matches in the Heineken Champions Cup (winning seven and drawing one, excluding their cancelled fixtures). They had never previously gone more than two games without defeat at this stage of the competition.
- Exeter hit 131 attacking rucks in the opening round of the 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup, more than any other club, recording the best ruck success rate in the process (99%).
- Exeter lock Jonny Gray – formerly a Glasgow player – sits joint top of the try-scoring charts after crossing for three tries in the opening round of the Heineken Champions Cup (level with Racing 92’s Wenceslas Lauret). He became the first lock to score a hat-trick in the competition.
A dramatic end the last time Exeter visited Scotstoun 🤯
150 match tickets have just been released for this weekends fixture. Be quick! Secure your seat this Saturday night (kick-off 5.30pm) 👉 https://t.co/hZFUN1ZVuS pic.twitter.com/I4Zp9YHPnj
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) December 15, 2021
Quotes:
Exeter lock Jonny Gray: “Both teams know each other very well and there are great players on both sides. It will be weird going back for the first time, but we’ve talked already about preparing well because it’s going to be a tough game.”
Glasgow fly-half Ross Thompson
Fly-half Ross Thompson kicked 15 points as Glasgow Warriors battled to an excellent win over Exeter Chiefs in the Heineken Champions Cup at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.
The United Rugby Championship outfit bounced back from their narrow defeat to last season’s finalists Stade Rochelais in Round 1 and put in a stellar performance.
2020 champions Exeter were left frustrated as handling and disciplinary errors littered their game – a stark contrast to their dominant win over Montpellier Hérault Rugby last weekend.
In difficult, foggy conditions, the two sides cancelled each other out during the opening exchanges, but Glasgow drew first blood as Thompson nudged his maiden penalty of the evening on 13 minutes.
Look at those @GlasgowWarriors celebrations! 💪
The Scottish side overcome Exeter Chiefs 22-7 at Scotstoun.#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/Cwfo58x0ko
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 18, 2021
The hosts grew in stature as the half wore on – they were in control for the vast majority, with their relentless defence contributing to a string of Exeter dropped balls inside their 22m.
A Chiefs attack ending with a knock-on five metres out, and then a penalty to Glasgow at the scrum typified the visitors’ game.
Glasgow therefore headed into the second half with a 3-0 lead, and they would start the final 40 minutes in similar fashion to the first, restricting Exeter’s attack while playing some neat rugby with ball in hand.
Thompson doubled his side’s advantage from the tee on 48 minutes – moments after striking the upright with another effort.
"We struggled so much in possession, it was scary.
"We fight in every competition until we're dead and buried and we're a long way from dead and buried in either competition."
There is a lot left for @ExeterChiefs to fight for, insists Rob Baxter.#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/ud3NHbfrCI
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 18, 2021
The 22-year-old, making only his second appearance in the Heineken Champions Cup, would slot a further two penalties before the hour mark to open up a healthy lead for Glasgow.
But despite Warriors’ massive defensive effort Exeter finally battered their way through, with Sam Simmonds dotting down from close range on 71 minutes and Joe Simmonds converting to set up a tense finale with the scores at 12-7.
Thompson would however kick a crucial fifth penalty on 75 minutes to put the game beyond Chiefs’ reach, and Glasgow would put the icing on a dominant display as replacement hooker Johnny Matthews touched down at the back of a maul late on.
Glasgow climb to fourth in Pool A after their victory, level with Exeter on five points, who host the Round 3 encounter between the sides in January.
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