Exeter 32-24 Munster - Investec Champions Cup: Late Henry Slade try seals thrilling victory

Jack Dunne claimed Exeter's third try despite the tackle from Shane Daly

Exeter made it two wins from their opening two Investec Champions Cup games after a superb victory over Munster at Sandy Park.

Tries from Calvin Nash, Tom Ahern and Antoine Frisch helped Munster to a 19-10 lead at the break, with Dan Frost touching down for the hosts.

Shane Daly's try stretched Munster's advantage before Exeter fought back for a bonus-point win.

Ross Vintcent, Jack Dunne and Henry Slade went over for the Exeter tries.

Munster's loss followed a 17-17 draw with Bayonne on the opening weekend and with pool games at Toulon and home to Northampton still to come, Christmas will be a lot less comfortable for Graham Rowntree's men.

After a breathless start, it was Munster who struck first.

A series of hard carries from the visitors drew in the Exeter defence before Craig Casey swung a looping pass out to the right wing to give Nash a simple run-in to score and Jack Crowley added the extras.

Exeter's Lewis Pearson is tackled by Munster pair Jack Crowley and John Hodnett

Exeter responded well, working their way through several phases close to the line and it was hooker Frost who eventually burrowed his way over and Slade was accurate with the conversion to level the score.

Munster gained the ascendency in the second quarter with some superb attacking rugby.

A delicate Crowley crossfield kick into the arms of Ahern allowed the back row to sprint over the try-line to put his side ahead.

A Slade penalty put the hosts briefly within touching distance, but Munster finished the first half on a high as centre Frisch finished a sweeping backs move and Crowley nailed the tricky conversion to give his side a nine-point lead at the break.

Slade slotted an Exeter penalty to put his side briefly within touching distance, but Munster extended their advantage to 11 points with a well-taken try from Daly, securing a four-try bonus point.

However, the game was far from over, with Exeter pummelling the visitors' line and Vintcent stretched over.

Less than two minutes later, Dunne flipped the game on its head, scoring an opportunistic try to put his side in front after Nash misjudged a bouncing ball in his own 22.

A dramatic 15 minutes followed and an intercept try from Slade in the dying seconds capped a superb victory for the English side.

Baxter prasises team's 'massive character'

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter: "When Munster scored just after half-time, I looked at our players behind the posts and looking at their body language, I questioned whether they were shot, but they went on to show massive character.

"We had to stay in the fight and take our opportunities as Munster have great tradition and were here to win.

"They adopted a great attacking policy and it nearly succeeded in beating us."

'Munster world specialists in making life difficult for ourselves'

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree: "I'm hugely frustrated and need to calm down and have another look at some of the crucial incidents.

"We scored some cracking tries to get a bonus point and get on top of them but the game got away from us and it shows that the game is never over.

"The third try from the bouncing ball was just crazy and was against the run of play.

"As far as this competition is concerned, we'll see how the cards develop as we still have Toulon away and Northampton Saints at home, but we are the world specialists in making life difficult for ourselves."

Line-ups

Exeter: Wyatt; Woodburn, Slade, Hawkins, Hammersley; Skinner, Cairns; Sio, Frost, Painter, Tuima, Jenkins (capt), Pearson, Vermeulen, Fisilau.

Replacements: Norey, Abuladze, Street, Dunne, Vintcent, Townsend, Devoto, O'Loughlin.

Munster: Daly; Nash, Frisch, Nankivell, O'Brien; Crowley, Casey; Loughman, Barron, Archer, Coombes, Beirne (capt), Ahern, Hodnett, O'Donoghue.

Replacements: Clarke, Wycherley, Jager, Gleeson, Kendellen, Murray, Scannell, O'Connor.

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