Chiefs shock Bourgoin

Exeter moved into second position in Amlin Challenge Cup Pool 3 with a clinical 34-19 victory in Bourgoin.

The Chiefs bounced back from defeat in their opener against Montpelier last week with a crucial away win, to keep alive their hopes of progressing into the knockout stages.

Tries from Bryan Rennie and Hayden Thomas gave the visitors a surprise 26-5 half-time lead at Stade Pierre Rajon, before Mark Foster completed the historic win in Exeter's first competitive match in France.

Bourgoin also scored three tries but the boot of Chiefs fly-half Gareth Steenson proved the difference, as he kicked 19 points.

Exeter rang the changes for the visit to the former Challenge Cup champions, recalling a raft of front-line players.

Steenson was back at pivot and wasted no time in opening a six-point lead in as many minutes with two penalties.

Bourgoin number eight Yan Labrit rumbled over after nine minutes but Steenson hit back almost immediately with a third kick.

Opportunism

Centre Rennie crossed after 23 minutes to open breathing space before a moment of opportunism from Thomas saw Exeter take a grip on the game.

The scrum-half pounced when the ball squirted out of a Bourgoin scrum and galloped over from 30 metres out. Steenson converted and added a penalty before half-time.

Brando Va'aula spearheaded the anticipated backlash from the home side but wing Foster skipped over to safeguard's Exeter's lead.

Fit-again Richard Baxter marred his first start of the season following injury with a yellow card just moments after Ratu Nasiganiyavi was sent to the sin bin. The Fijian returned to score in the final minute but that was too late to deny Exeter.

Connacht win

In Pool 1, Connacht got their campaign back on track by beating Bayonne 16-13 in Galway.

Sean Cronin and Gavin Duffy scored in either half for the hosts, with Ian Keatley adding two goals.

A try from replacement hooker David Roumieu, converted by Jean-Baptiste Peyras, set up a tense finale at the Sportsground, but the hosts managed to hold on.