Exeter Chiefs player ratings from Cornish Pirates win - 'Looked dangerous'

Exeter Chiefs ended their wait for a first win of the season with a 68-7 thumping of Cornish Pirates in the opening pool stage game of the 2024/25 Premiership Rugby Cup.

Chiefs ran in 10 tries at the home of their Championship opponents, with scores from Will Rigg (2). Paul Brown-Bampoe (3), Josh Hodge (2), Dan Frost, Harvey Skinner and Jack Innard, with the full-back adding 18 points with the boot with nine from 10 conversion attempts.

Pirates were unable to fire too many shots across the bow of the Exeter ’s defence with fly-half Bruce Houston finding a gap in the first half. He added the conversion to his score but that was it for the hosts.

South West rugby writer John Evely takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Exeter Chiefs players…

15 Josh Hodge - 8

The full-back scored a brace of tries on his way to an 28 point haul as he had an inspired game from the kicking tee, landing nine of 10 conversions with his only miss hitting the near upright. His first try was a solo stunner, breaking a tackle near halfway and then jetting through the back-field to score under the posts with a dive. The second came from good hands in the midfield to set him away on the outside arc. With Tommy Wyatt back to compete for the 15 jersey, his kicking may well provide a key point of difference.

14 Paul Brown-Bampoe - 7

Having burst on the scene in pre-season against Pirates back in August when he scored a scintillating hat-trick, the winger repeated the feat in the cup opener. The first enjoyed a significant slice of luck as a wide miss-pass from Will Haydon-Wood bounced off the turf which encouraged the home defence to over-commit in the hope of an interception, meaning when the ball in fact bounced into Brown-Bampoe’s hands he could shrug off the attempted tackle from the compromised defender and burst through to score. His second came from a cross-field kick from Haydon-Wood and the third was a relatively easy run in after a sharp quick tap penalty from Stu Townsend, who broke down the blindside before arching a pass to the winger. Crucially, Brown-Bampoe wasn’t exposed defensively after a slight tweak to the system.

13 Ben Hammersley - 6

The centre got lost in amongst the good work of those around him but had a solid outing.

12 Will Rigg - 8

Whether Rigg can play like he did on Friday night against a Premiership side remains to be seen but the big centre had an impressive display as he showed both his power and speed to score a brace of tries. His first came after 2 minutes and 20 seconds as he blast his way over the whitewash from close range to set the tone for the game. The second was from considerably further back as he got the ball down the left and cut in-field at full pace to finish under the posts after a 40m sprint.

11 Tommy Wyatt - 6

Making his injury return from an ACL injury after 10 months out, the winger grew into the game as he started to look more threatening with the ball in hand. There were signs of rust, with a dropped high ball, but his decision making as to when to kick was on the money and he stepped back into the side well.

10 Will Haydon-Wood - 7

The fly-half lived life on the edge, throwing wild ambitious wide passes to get the ball out into the tram lines, with his bouncing pass putting Brown-Bampoe away for his first try and then a pin-point cross-field kick setting up the winger’s second score. As a running threat he looked dangerous.

9 Will Becconsall - 6

The Exeter scrum-half lottery continues. Becconsall provided quick ball but his box kicks were mediocre at best and he provided no threat as a runner.

1 Will Goodrick-Clarke - 7

The Exeter scrum got stronger and stronger as the game went on, and Goodrick-Clarke was key to providing power to the maul drive as he powered Frost over the line for his try.

2 Dan Frost - 7

The hooker had a strong day at the lineout with Lewis Pearson back as a primary jumper and he was at the back of a driving maul to get over the line. There were a couple of bright moments in the loose as well as he showed bursts of speed.

3 Ehren Painter - 7

The big tighthead was an immovable presence in the frontrow to provide Exeter with a dominant set piece.

4 Rusi Tuima - 6

The big lock knocked on while trying to reach out and score when a simple pass through the hands would almost certainly have got the job done. Those type of mistakes are the difference between winning and losing in the Premiership.

5 Lewis Pearson 7

Making his return to action from an Achilles injury, the lineout performed well under his leadership as he also showed his prowess at taking kick-offs. Another man who will add significant competition in the pack.

6 Ethan Roots - 6

The England international put in some thunderous trademark big hits and carried hard, but a couple of passing errors let him down.

7 Jacques Vermeulen - 7

The South African flanker, back as captain, set the tone defensively as he provided a punch in the midfield that wrought terror on Pirates’ midfield ball carriers.

8 Greg Fisilau - 6

The number eight was a busy ball carrier and made plenty of hard yards after contact, but didn’t get a chance to open his legs. At the back of an increasingly dominant Chiefs scrum he struggled to control the ball as the pack advanced.

Replacements:

16 Jack Innard - 7

17 Kwenzo Blose - 7

18 Jimmy Roots - 7

19 Joe Bailey - 6

20 Martin Moloney - 6

21 Stu Townsend - 5

22 Harvey Skinner - 6

23 Joe Hawkins - 6