Chiefs 20 Leinster 29

Exeter Chiefs 20

Leinster 29

Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

A bit like a holiday romance, you make friends early on; you promise to meet again in the future; but in reality you end up going your separate ways.

Well, in the case of Exeter Chiefs, they sadly saw their European escapades end on a sad note, but not before giving reigning Heineken Cup champions Leinster another half decent scare.

Having been edged out narrowly 9-6 in Dublin back in October, the Irishmen again prevailed in this final Pool 5 encounter, gaining the all-important five points they had craved from their travels to the Westcountry.

Irish internationals Gordon D'Arcy, Rob Kearney, Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip all crossed for tries for the visitors; whilst fly-half Jonathan Sexton weighed in with the remainder of the points for the three-time champions.

That, you would think, would be more than enough to put a smile on the faces of the Dubliners, but as they departed back across the Irish Sea late on Saturday evening, Joe Schmidt's men were still left wondering whether their title defence will continue into the latter stages.

The champions duly completed their mission by claiming maximum reward, but even then Irish rivals Munster could yet pip them to the final qualifying berth should they reach 20 points and a total of 13 tries when they face Racing Metro on Sunday.

For the Chiefs, however, their first-ever experience of European Rugby's premier competition has served them well. Not only have Rob Baxter and his team got to challenge the very best the competition has to offer, but the lessons learnt from their various outings against Leinster, Clermont Auvergne and Scarlets will no doubt serve them well not just this season, but you would say for years to come.

Indeed, for periods of this latest match-up - particularly the first half - the Aviva Premiership club more than held their own against their more illustrious counterparts.

Hooker Neil Clark found his way over for their opening try as he powered his way through one particular line-out; then shortly after the Chiefs combined as a collective of 15 to win a penalty try from French referee Romain Poite with a well-drilled 'all-in' line-out move that caught the visitors napping just yards from their own line.

Irish fly-half Gareth Steenson converted both home scores, as well as adding a penalty in each half, but it was never quite enough to prevent Leinster from ultimately prevailing at a bitterly cold Sandy Park.

Undone convincingly a week earlier by unbeaten Pool 5 leaders Clermont Auvergne, the Chiefs - who showed three changes to their starting line-up - were quickly on the back foot as Leinster came flying out of the traps in the early exchanges.

Just under four minutes had elapsed by the time the Irishmen had claimed their opening score. Using their imposing pack to punch their way into Exeter's 22, they recycled the ball at pace to the right-hand side, exposing a numbers game that allowed Irish international D'Arcy to step inside Matt Jess to score the try, which Sexton duly converted.

It was hardly the start the Chiefs had craved and worse was to follow as England international Tom Johnson departed proceedings on 15 minutes with what looked a serious leg injury. The flanker was duly replaced by Ben White, himself only just back from injury, but the Aussie forward was quickly into the fray as helped Dean Mumm in pole-axing Kearney with a thunderous hit.

Mumm's efforts won his side a penalty turnover, but instead of opting for the easy pot at the posts, the Chiefs instead opted for the corner. The line-out move that followed was, not only well-scripted, but well delivered as Mumm collected the throw before the shove was applied through Richard Baxter and then to Clark, who cleverly spotted the gap and powered his way over the line.

Exeter's counter was impressive, but Leinster were quickly back on the offensive and having seen a series of scrums be reset deep inside the home half, they used the bull-dozing tactics of Heaslip and Sean O'Brien to create the platform for their backs to set up Kearney to cross for their second try of the game.

The contest was gripping, though, and when White and Mumm combined to good effect again following a turnover, the Chiefs used another penalty award to bring in a new move. Steenson booted to the right corner, the team lined up in unison for the line-out, and from the resultant drive Poite had no hesitation in awarding the penalty try after Leinster cynically halted it just inches from their own whitewash.

Steenson, the Exeter No.10, administered the easy extras to that score, before dispatching a penalty just with virtually the last action of the half to give the home side a five-point buffer at the interval.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 17 LEINSTER 12

Leinster, clearly rattled by Exeter's first half endeavours, re-emerged for the second period knowing it was clearly a case of 'now or never' in terms of their keeping their European hopes alive.

So, with that very thought in mind, the visitors again started brightly as it took just five minutes of the half for them to haul themselves back in front. Again a series of attacking waves stretched the home defence, putting Leinster on the front foot and allowing captain Leo Cullen to come around the corner, before simply offloading to the onrushing O'Driscoll, who did the rest with a simple finish that Sexton was able to convert.

Now just one score away from claiming the all-important bonus point, Leinster looked to press forward in pursuit of their bounty.

Initially the Chiefs did well to hold the threat - a point underlined as Steenson punched the air in delight following some stout defence - but when his half-back partner Kevin Barrett spilled the ball just inches from his own line just moments later, the visitors did what champions and top sides tend to do best, they took their golden opportunity.

With a scrum just five metres out, newly-appointed Ireland captain Heaslip picked up from the base of the scrum before charging his way under the sticks for a fourth try, again converted with ease by club and international team-mate Sexton.

It was now Leinster with the nine-point lead and the opportunity to suddenly showcase their attacking repertoire. However, the Chiefs had other ideas and keen to upset the applecart, they looked to haul themselves back into what was a gripping encounter.

Imposing centre Sireli Naqelevuki was often there go to man in most cases as the Fijian force constantly barged his way through the middle, thus ensuring established stars D'Arcy and O'Driscoll were never able to rest quietly, but sadly their efforts did not bring quite the same rewards as that of the first period.

Again the Devonians tried the 15-man line-out tactic following a sustained period of pressure, but this time Leinster were more prepared and the threat was repelled.

Leinster not only defended valiantly when they had too, but the Chiefs were on occasions found guilty of trying to over play and complicate matters too much. In the end, all they could settle for was a second Steenson penalty that brought them back to within a converted score with just ten minutes remaining.

A gripping finale was now set up and although Leinster had further chances late on, they were still not out of sight and ultimately had to rely on a Sexton penalty to give them enough breathing space to see out the dying embers of the match.

They now await the outcome of what happens at Munster's Thomond Park, whilst for the Chiefs their attention switches to matters in the LV= Cup and the Aviva Premiership, both of which offer them the chance of dining at Europe's top table again next season.

Chiefs: L Arscott; I Whitten, S Naqelevuki, J Shoemark (N Sestaret 79), M Jess; G Steenson, K Barrett (W Chudley 54); B Moon (C Rimmer 54), N Clark (J Yeandle 79), H Tui (C Mitchell 46-52, 63); T Hayes (capt, J Hanks 55), D Mumm; T Johnson (B White 15), J Scaysbrook, R Baxter. Replacement (not used): I Mieres

Tries - Clark, Penalty Try; Conversions - Steenson (2); Penalties - Steenson (2)

Yellow Card: White

Leinster: R Kearney; I Nacewa, B O'Driscoll (I Madigan 79), G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, E Reddan (I Boss 55); C Healy (H Van Der Merwe 66), R Strauss (S Cronin h/t), M Ross (M Bent 66); L Cullen (capt), D Toner; K McLaughlin (R Ruddock 61), S O'Brien, J Heaslip. Replacement (not used): F McFadden.

Tries - D'Arcy, Kearney, O'Driscoll, Heaslip; Conversions - Sexton (3); Penalty - Sexton

Yellow Card: Boss

Referee: R Poite

Touch Judges: C Berdos & E Soulan

4th Official: A Pearce

Attendance: 10,198

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Bath (A), LV= Cup, Saturday, January 26 (2.15pm)