Stade Toulousain faces Exeter Chiefs in Champions Cup opener

Stade Toulousain prepares to open their Investec Champions Cup campaign against Exeter Chiefs this Sunday. Despite facing a significant injury crisis in their forward pack, including absences from the second and third rows, the French champions will see the return of Anthony Jelonch after six months out. Antoine Dupont is set to captain the side.

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has challenged his team to prove they belong among Europe’s elite when facing the French side. Baxter described Toulouse as “as good as it gets” and emphasized that the Chiefs must improve their defensive intensity to compete with Toulouse’s attacking capabilities and physical pressure.