Leinster 9 Chiefs 6

Leinster 9

Exeter Chiefs 6

Mark Stevens at the RDS

Halloween might not be until the end of the month, but defending Heineken Cup champions Leinster were given one almighty fright by visiting Exeter Chiefs at the RDS.

Strutting their stuff in European Rugby's premier competition for the first time in the club's history, the Chiefs came within a whisker of grabbing at least a share of the spoils against their star-studded Irish hosts.

With the clock having run dry in the Irish capital, Argentinian ace Ignacio Mieres had the opportunity to put his name in Exeter folklore when he was afforded a last-gasp penalty chance.

Some 48 metres from the target, the fly-half connected sweetly enough with his kick, but sadly the direction was just amiss as he effort drifted wide of the right post.

And that - in truth - was how close Rob Baxter's Chiefs' came to kicking off their European campaign in such fine style.

As the visitors dropped to the floor - exhausted both physically and mentally - the Leinster players in turn punched the air in delight, recognising they had been handed an early 'get out of jail card'.

Fly-half Jonny Sexton proved Leinster's eventual matchwinner as his third successful penalty - just seven minutes from time - saw him edge out opposite number Gareth Steenson 3-2 in the game's kicking duel.

Buoyed by the scalping of reigning Premiership champions Harlequins the week previous, the Chiefs arrived in Dublin with very little to lose and everything to gain.

In a similar position to that of when they were first promoted into English rugby's top tier, Baxter's side were happy to adopt the tag of underdogs for this historic encounter with the current Kings of Europe.

Of the 15 men who took to the field at the RDS, 11 of them - including the returning warhorses Tom Hayes and James Scaysbrook - were survivors of the club's Championship winning side that overcame Bristol on a sodden night in May 2010.

Leinster, meanwhile, were themselves at full strength as they paraded a wealth of household names such as Cian Healy, Leo Cullen, Jamie Heaslip, Eoin Reddan, Sexton and Brian O'Driscoll in their ranks.

Respledent in their new, eye-catching, pink European strip - it was certainly a moment to savour for everyone associated with the Devon club. However, taking to the field signalled only the start of things to come for the ambitious Chiefs who, in a superb first half display, underlined those same key features which have seen them make such a metoric rise in recent years.

From the outset, the Chiefs were more happy to go toe-to-toe with their more illustrious hosts, who this season are chasing a third successive Heineken Cup crown. The early pace was certainly frantic, although there was a clear willingness from both sides to attack at every opportunity.

Exeter initially held Leinster at bay with some stout defence, but when No.8 Richard Baxter was penalised for taking out home centre Fergus McFadden off the ball, it offered Sexton his first shot at the target. The normally deadly marksman, however, was unable to make the most of the opportunity as he pulled his kick wide of the left post.

It was a momentary let off for the visitors, who fell behind on 10 minutes when Sexton made no mistake with his second attempt, given after the Chiefs were pulled up by French referee Pascal Gauzere for offside in midfield.

Although behind, the Chiefs - spurred on by a terrific turnout from the travelling Tribe - looked to counter almost immediately as backs and forwards combined as one to drive them deep into Leinster territory with a series of attacking waves.

The attacking endeavour from Baxter's braves was admirable and it brought them reward as Steenson was given his first crack at landing the club's maiden points in the competition. Unfortunately the fly-half, who hails from north of the border at Dungannon, saw his effort slip wide of the mark.

Undeterred, the Chiefs continued to go about their work well and when Steenson saw a second effort fail to land just past the half-hour mark, you kind of felt the missed chances could yet prove telling in the grand scheme of things.

Steenson, however, is a strong character and when afforded a final chance just before the interval, this time he made no mistake as he drilled his kick between the sticks to ensure parity at the break.

HALF TIME    LEINSTER 3    EXETER CHIEFS 3

With little to choose between either side after the first 40 minutes, it was the Chiefs who were quickly out of the traps on the resumption. Good early pressure saw them set up camp deep inside the Leinster half, but crucially the home side were resolute in their rearguard action, thwarting their rivals with some excellent defence and a series of quality turnovers.

The home side's efforts were impressive and helped to lift the Leinster faithful, who were soon on their feet once more as Sexton restored their slender advantage with a second successful penalty when winger Isa Nacewa was taken out late.

Such was the nature of the contest, it didn't take long for Exeter to summon a response. With Baxter happy to throw on some fresh muscle in pursuit of points, they drew themselves level when Steenson administered a second penalty following a sustained spell of pressure from the visitors.

Now with their tails up, the Chiefs looked to press on in search of what would be a famous victory. Fijian powerhouse Sireli Naqelevuki was causing no end of problems with his bulk in midfield, whilst up front the Exeter pack were simply relentless at the breakdown causing their counterparts no end of problems.

Leinster, however, are no mugs and their three Heineken titles in four years, proves testiment to their own strengths, which lie both in attack and defence. And it was the latter which
proved so telling as O'Driscoll cleverly stripped Exeter replacement Will Chudley at such a crucial time.

As the Chiefs pressed hard in attack, the Irish and British Lions captain sized up the diminiutive scrum-half propelling him back at a rate of knots. With little support for the lone Chief, Leinster bodies flew into the tackle, crucially winning the ball from which they were able to move themselves back down field.

It was a telling moment as the Irishmen worked the ball through a series of phases, before Exeter prop Ben Moon infringed in front of his own posts. Some 25 metres out, Sexton stepped forward to land his third kick of the game.

Even then the Chiefs weren't finished as in what was to prove a last throw of the dice, they bashed away at the Leinster defensive wall with a collection of handling drives. Initially it failed to bear fruit, but with the last seconds of the contest about to elapse, the hosts infringed.

The moment was there for the Chiefs to strike. Mieres duly stepped forward, sized up his options, before striking his effort. The hush around the ground was evident, that was until the ball floated high and wide of its intended mark.

Leinster: I Madigan; A Conway, B O'Driscoll, F McFadden, I Nacewa; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy (H Van Der Merwe 53), R Strauss (S Cronin 71), M Ross; L Cullen (capt), D Browne (D Toner 53); K McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip. Replacements (not used): J Hagan, L Auva'a, J Murphy, I Boss, F Carr.

Penalties - Sexton (3)

Chiefs: L Arscott; I Whitten, P Dollman, J Shoemark (S Naqelevuki 53), M Jess; G Steenson (I Mieres 65), H Thomas (W Chudley 53); B Sturgess (B Moon 70), S Alcott (C Whitehead 65), C Rimmer (C Budgen 76); T Hayes (capt), J Hanks (A Muldowney 70); T Johnson (D Mumm 59), J Scaysbrook, R Baxter.

Penalties - Steenson (2)

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Clermont Auvergne (H), Heineken Cup, Saturday, October 20 (6pm).