Toulouse defeat Exeter Chiefs in Champions Cup despite early red card

Toulouse secured a 43 to 40 victory over Exeter Chiefs in a Champions Cup pool match in France on 18 October 2026. The French side fought back to win the contest despite playing with 14 men following a first-half red card given to Rodrigue Neti. The BBC and The Independent both reported on the match. [1][2][3]

Exeter had an opportunity to secure a draw late in the game with the clock in the red. Henry Slade missed a penalty kick from approximately 40 metres out, ending the comeback attempt. According to the BBC, Exeter winger Zack Wimbush scored a hat-trick of tries during the match. [1][3]

Wimbush started on the wing in place of injured England international Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Toulouse scored multiple tries throughout the match, including scores from Ange Capuozzo, Joshua Brennan, Teddy Thomas, Romain Ntamack, a penalty try, and two tries from Kalvin Remue. Ntamack also added three conversions for the hosting team, as reported by the BBC. [1]

The result leaves Exeter, who won the tournament in 2020, just short of a victory away from home. The Independent reported that the loss adds to ongoing struggles for English clubs in the Champions Cup competition. [1][2]