They 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?
