Exeter’s last dance? Chiefs look to end golden era with European glory

T hey know a little bit about vintage years in Bordeaux, where Exeter hope to savour a famous victory over La Rochelle on Sunday. This has not been the smoothest of seasons for the Chiefs but there is still time to transform perceptions. If few people are tipping England’s last men standing as probable Champions Cup finalists, that is exactly how they prefer it.

The more you examine the background to the fixture, in fact, the more intriguing it becomes. Does anyone remotely think Sam Simmonds, Jack Nowell, Stuart Hogg or any of the Chiefs’ other departing gladiators are not desperate for one last glint of silverware? Has everyone forgotten the 11 tries Exeter collectively stuck on Montpellier and Stormers to reach Sunday’s semi-final?

And for all the “Last Dance” references, there are similar levels of motivation among those staying on. The Chiefs’ in-form winger Olly Woodburn is a good example. People talk a lot about Levani Botia and Will Skelton and La Rochelle’s other massive units but what if the contest plays out the way Woodburn and Exeter prefer: wider focused, aerially challenging and at pace? As a positive-minded Gloucester showed this month, the picture can swiftly become very different.

As a keen photographer himself – he likes to do fashion shoots and would love to make a post-rugby career out of it – the analogy suits the 31-year-old Woodburn. Exeter’s recently crowned supporters’ player of the year also knows what it takes to pose with a major trophy, having been part of the Chiefs squad who stunned Toulouse and Racing 92 en route to becoming European champions in 2020.

Which is why the super-fit, strong attacking runner is adamant Exeter have a genuine chance against the defending champions. “I think we