Challenge Cup: Exeter Chiefs 45-3 Bayonne

Dave Ewers celebrated his England Saxons call-up with his fifth try of the season

Exeter Chiefs secured their first-ever home tie in the knock-out stages of a European competition as they eased to victory over Bayonne at Sandy Park.

Jack Nowell got the only try of a scrappy first half as a weakened Bayonne gave away a host of penalties.

Matt Jess went over soon after the break with his third try this season.

Forwards Dave Ewers, Carl Rimmer, Kai Horstmann and captain Dean Mumm all crossed as Exeter's pack dominated the match and secured the second seeding.

Bayonne, who were the only team to have beaten Exeter in Europe this season, face European champions Toulon next Friday in the Top 14 and made 10 changes to the side that be La Rochelle last week, leaving out the likes of Scott Spedding and Joe Rokocoko.

England winger Nowell, playing in a less-accustomed role at centre, made them pay for those changes as he broke an initial tackle and forced his way over from close range after four minutes.

The English side continued to dominate up-front and forced three kickable penalties, of which England Saxons centre Slade converted two to give the Chiefs an 11-0 lead with 15 minutes to go in the half.

Slade slotted a penalty a minute after the restart before Martin Bustos Moyano's penalty finally put Bayonne on the board after 46 minutes.

Three minutes later Jess got Exeter's second try as Phil Dollman picked him out after a great pass from Saxons forward Thomas Waldrom.

His Saxons team-mate Dave Ewers got his fifth try of the season as he went over in the corner after some sustained pressure on the hour, while replacement prop Carl Rimmer was pushed over by the dominant Exeter pack 10 minutes later to secure the bonus point.

And Exeter's forwards continued to keep in charge as Horstmann rounded off a fine move to go over five minutes from the end, before skipper Mumm scored a try for the third successive game in the final minute after more powerful work by the pack.

Exeter Chiefs: Dollman; Whitten, Nowell, Hill, Jess; Slade, Lewis; Moon, Cowan-Dickie, Brown; Mumm (capt), Welch; Ewers, Horstmann, Waldrom.

Replacements: Bateman, Sturgess, Rimmer, Naqelevuki, Scaysbrook, Chudley, Steenson, McGuigan.

Bayonne: Bustos Moyano; Vaka, Foketi, Fuster, Sayerse; Otazo, Loustalot; Pointud, Arganese, Lapeyrade; Fa'aoso, Taele; Marmouyet (capt), Visensang, Ancely.

Replacements: Etrillard, Bruno, Iguiniz, Senekal, Duhalde, Labouyrie, Ugalde, Van Rensburg.

Referee: Andrew McMenemy.