The eighth Franco-English duel in the European Cup final turned in favor of the English.
Racing 92 narrowly fails (31-27) against Exeter yet a novice at this stage of the competition.
What you must remember
We quickly became worried about Racing 92 as the first minutes were so painful and bumpy.
In just over a quarter of an hour, the Ile-de-France residents concede two tries and are 14 points behind.
The English recite their score perfectly.
But especially the Ile-de-France executives are lacking.
Iribaren, however irreproachable in this European campaign, does not manage to find a touch on penalty (2nd) and is signaled by an unusual feverishness.
As for his friend from the attack line, the Scottish Finn Russell, he juggles his in-goal with the ball and fails to offer a ready-made test to Exeter (13th).
From the 14th minute, Iribaren's replacement Maxime Machenaud left to warm up.
Manager Laurent Travers will finally wait for the break to make the change indicating that his scrum half had experienced groin discomfort from the start of the match.
The second part of the first period is more favorable to the teammates of captain Henry Chavancy.
Zebo (20th) then Imhoff (32nd, 14-12) cross the goal line but a last try at the Chiefs' siren allows the English to take to the sea at the break (21-12).
Back from the locker room, Racing erases its imperfections and the Irish Zebo doubles his test counter (43rd) before Chat (50th) gives hope to the noisy substitutes in the Ile-de-France region.
Laurent Travers' men won a terrible streak in defense and Vakatawa recovered the ball.
The English doubt and rely on pick and go but lose Francis on yellow card (71st) after he prevented from spinning the Imhoff test.
The end of the match is unbreathable and Racing is only a small point behind but two penalties will allow the English to breathe.
The player: Simon Zebo
It is the man by whom sounded the revolt.
The Irishman placed at the back gave new hope at a time when his teammates accused the blow.
In the second half, he will double the bet.
The number: 3
Never two without three.
Racing once again lost in the European Cup final for the third time after 2016 against Saracens and 2018 against Leinster.
The same score as Clermont, three times a finalist also losing.
EXETER - RACING: 31-27
Half-time: 21-12.
Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol (Ang.).
Referee: Nigel Owen (CEO)
Dots.
Exeter: Tryouts: Cowan-Dickie (8th), S.Simmonds (16th), William (40th), H. Slade (45th).
Transformations: J. Simmonds (8th, 16th, 40th, 45th).
Penalties: J. Simmonds (79th).
Racing 92: Tests: Zebo (20th, 43rd), Imhoff (32nd), Chat (50th).
Transformations: Russell (32nd) Machenaud (50th).
Machenaud penalties (65th).
Warning.
Yellow card.
Exeter Francis (71st)
Racing 92:
Zebo - Dupichot, Vakatawa, Chavancy (cap.), Imhoff - (o) Russell, (m) Iribaren - Sanconnie, Claassen, Lauret - Bird, Le Roux - Colombe, Chat, Ben Arous.
Entr.
: Through.