Exeter will take the advantage into the second leg at Thomond Park, as they overcame Munster 13-8 at Sandy Park this evening.

The hosts were a composed unit for the contest, commanding the opening half where they led 10-0 at halftime, the first game since 2018 where Munster failed to score in the opening half.

In truth the Irish province were dogged in their play, the defensive work rates were shown in abundance but struggled to create chances and were guilty of numerous turnovers and errors that coughed up vital possession.

Munster were guiltily of losing possession in the early exchanges, and were punished after seven minutes as the Chiefs offloaded wide for Stuart Hogg to cross over, as the Munster backline was sucked in Hogg used his pace to run clear and make it 5-0 for the hosts.

The hosts continued to be the dominant force in the tie, causing Munster more hassle at their own try line Jack Yeandle looked to have a second try for Exeter but Conor Murray did well to put a hand out and deny the hooker.

Woes continued for Munster as Jack O’Sullivan who came in for Alex Kendellen for a HIA, was send to the sin bin just minutes before the break, Exeter made no mistakes in using the advantage to get their second try, Jacques Vermeulen got over to make it 10-0 as we headed for the interval.

Ben Healy had Munster on the board after 57 minutes, the fly half landing a close range penalty after they opted for the posts following intense pressure applied to the Exeter line.

Olly Woodburn was the next player to be sent to the sin bin, the Exeter winger carded after a high challenge with Niall Scannel in the ruck, Munster now having a man advantage. Just a minute later Patrick Shickerling found his marching orders also to the bin, after being carded for cynical play.

Just as it looked like Munster had a foot back in the tie being two men to the good, Stuart Hogg split the posts with a monster drop goal to extend the Chiefs back to ten points.

Munster did finally get their killer score as Shane Daly powered his way to cross for a try, the man who was not named to start coming up with a crucial score to reduce the gap to five points, as Healy couldn’t make the conversion attempt, with more than ten minutes to go they trailed 13-8.

Craig Casey thought he had crossed over for the second Munster try minutes later but he was just short of the line, they regained possession after for a penalty in the build up but after running the phases it was again turned over as the Chiefs could clear their line.

Woodburn looked to have killed the game after 77 minutes, he gathered out wide and sprinted for the line but Keith Earls with a sensational tackle, forced a knock on in a vital last ditch tackle to keep the gap at five points.

Exeter will take a five point lead to Limerick next Saturday, but the Irish province will need to look at their ill discipline from this tie, as that cost them numerous times in the contest but it remains all the play for next weekend.