Exeter Chiefs’ Cup ambitions end in heavy defeat at Leicester

Exeter Chiefs’ Premiership Rugby Cup campaign came to a painful end as they were beaten 66–14 by Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

Leicester ran in 10 tries to secure their first home silverware in more than a century, racing into a commanding lead that left the Chiefs chasing the game from the outset.

Centre Will Wand opened the scoring after six minutes and quickly added a second, while Archie van der Flier and Billy Searle also crossed as Tigers surged clear. Searle’s intercept try under the posts highlighted a dominant first half that ended 35–7, with Ross Vintcent grabbing Exeter’s only score before the break, converted by Josh Hodge.

The Chiefs’ afternoon did not improve after the restart. Van der Flier added another for the hosts and a penalty try soon followed when Martin Moloney was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements.

Will Haydon-Wood briefly lifted Exeter with a well-taken try near the hour mark, again converted by Hodge, but Leicester finished strongly. Gabriel Hamer-Webb and replacements Tarek Haffar and James O’Connor all crossed in the closing stages to complete a comprehensive victory.

Despite the disappointing finish, the competition provided valuable opportunities for several of Exeter’s young players. The Chiefs now turn their focus back to the Premiership, with Sale Sharks set to visit Sandy Park next weekend.