There have been some see-sawing contests in Europe over the years but few that have lurched so markedly from one extreme to the other. Munster were staring into the abyss for long periods of this madcap tie but by the end it was Exeter, reduced to 13 men for a chunk of the final quarter, who were left slightly anxious about what next weekend may bring.
In the final analysis Exeter were indebted to a remarkable 45-metre drop goal from Stuart Hogg which may yet offer some kind of lifeline in Limerick on Easter Saturday. Munster, though, will be massively buoyed by their spirit in adversity, a 66th-minute try by winger Shane Daly having left this two-leg encounter beautifully poised at the halfway stage.
