Early Tchumbadze double powers Exeter Chiefs into Challenge Cup last 16

Bachuki Tchumbadze struck twice in the opening stages as Exeter Chiefs brushed aside a much-changed Cardiff side to secure a home tie in the last 16 of the European Challenge Cup with a convincing victory at Sandy Park.

The tighthead prop proved an unlikely but decisive early threat, crossing twice before hooker Joseph Dweba added a third to give Exeter a commanding 19–0 lead at half-time. Despite a brighter spell from the visitors after the interval, the Chiefs pulled clear again as replacement hooker Julian Heaven claimed a bonus-point try, before Paul Brown-Bampoe rounded off the scoring late on. Henry Slade added three conversions to cap a professional home performance.

The result sets up a home knockout clash against Munster in early April, while Cardiff, who made 10 changes to their starting line-up, will travel to Benetton.

Exeter wasted little time asserting control, pinning Cardiff deep in their own territory and forcing a succession of early penalties. Although the visitors avoided sanction for what appeared to be a high tackle on Harvey Skinner, the Chiefs quickly made their pressure count from the resulting line-out, with Tchumbadze burrowing over for the opening try.

Cardiff’s difficulties deepened when Rory Thornton was sent to the sin-bin for a foul on Stephen Varney, and the Chiefs made full use of the numerical advantage. Tchumbadze’s second try was confirmed after a TMO review by Marius Jonker, and moments later another powerful line-out drive saw Dweba force his way over in the corner.

Cardiff showed greater intent at the start of the second half, moving the ball with more ambition and gaining territory as Exeter briefly found themselves on the back foot. The visitors thought they had a foothold in the game when Ioan Lloyd chipped ahead for Tom Bowen to collect and score, only for the try to be ruled out for a knock-on in the build-up.

Any hopes of a Cardiff revival were effectively ended when Ethan Roots stole possession at a line-out, allowing Heaven to break away and score Exeter’s fourth try. The Chiefs finished strongly, with Skinner’s clever pass creating the space for Brown-Bampoe to dive over and complete the scoring.