As it happened: Exeter Chiefs v Munster, Challenge Cup round of 16, minute-by-minute updates
DOUBLE TEAM: Gavin Coombes of Munster is tackled by Jimmy Roots, left, and Dafydd Jenkins at Sandy Park in Exeter. Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile
Quick off the mark, Brendan O'Brien sends his report from Sandy Park.
: Munster's European season is over after a 10-point defeat in Devon.
Jack Crowley puts the visitors within 10 with a couple of mins to go.
Crowley drops over the conversion after his opportunistic try.
Exeter Chiefs 31 Munster 14
Beirne gets over after an excellent Casey pass inside.
Great play from Casey as he executes a 50-22 himself after more great Exeter defence.
Great play from Jack Crowley - he peddles back to take a ball over his head and then nails a 50-22.
Craig Casey plays O'Connor in on the short side but he's bundled over the tram line by Brown-Bampoe. Munster starting to go for these half chances now.
Jack Crowley shows strength to get over the corner; he dusts himself down and drills the conversion.
Couple of Munster subs to note, as Clayton McMillan tries to make something happen here. Michael Ala'alatoa is on for Lee Barron and Niall Scannell replaces Alex Kendellen. Ruadhan Quinn trots on for Gavin Coombes, as I type.
Good pressure initially from Munster and an encouraging carry from Edogbo, but Exeter pull off a turnover as Casey tries to whip out a pass.
Here we go for the second half at Sandy PArk - Munster have given them the challenge of pulling off another memorable European comeback.
The conversion is the final action of the half and if you were trying to talk yourself into the case for a second-half comeback with the wind at Munster's back, that fourth try makes it a much, much harder sell.
That's magic from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso!
Vintcent turns over and the ball Feyi-Waboso dances in from the wing and beats half the Munster team before getting in for a killer try.
Will Rigg intercepts and races three-quarters the length of the pitch to dot down.
A few errors creeping into it now with Kilgallen the latest culprit. His handling mistake kills another attack for the visitors.
28 mins Exeter 17 Munster 0
Henry Slade fires over another three points and this is comfortable for the hosts. Munster have lost any momentum and shape they displayed earlier.
Henry Slade picks up the ball in midfield as Munster go through the phases, previously using the short side patiently. Slade turned on the afterburners and gets in under the posts.
Poor call at a poor time, Zebo says on comms.
Massive moment - and momentum swing.
Gavin Coombes breaks down the middle, draws the man and passes to Jack Crowley - but he's tackled and penalised for not releasing. Penalty Exeter.
Ross Vintcent opens the scoring as he comes off the line with speed and barrels over the line.
The conversion is bent over expertly by Henry Slade.
Munster win a penalty at the breakdown, allowing Jack Crowley to kick into the Exeter half and the wind. The Reds -- or Whites, today -- win another penalty that brings them into the Exeter 22.
Scrum penalty for the Chiefs draws a big cheer. No score still, but Simon Zebo promises this will open up yet.
Sustained Exeter pressure in this early period with Munster trying to hold the line. Beirne pulls off a typically brilliant turnover and they can breathe again for now.
The hosts have a big wind at their backs.
An early warning for the visitors.
Alex Nankivell has to make a superb covering tackle to stop marauding Exeter winger Paul Brown-Bampoe.
Referee Jeremy Rozier blows his whistle, and we're up and running.
This may not be the tournament either side wants to be in but the atmosphere looks great at a packed Sandy Park. ACDC's Thunderstruck blasts out before the teams take the pitch. We're ready to go...
The teams are going through their final warm-up routines, as Clayton McMillan speaks to the Premier Sports broadcasters about he's he's looking for a reaction today.
"We are going to need our big boys to really roll up their sleeves" 🗣️
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) April 4, 2026
🔴 @Munsterrugby head coach Clayton McMillan ahead of his side's clash with the Exeter Chiefs this afternoon 💪#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/tx8P2JeE1S
Here are the line-ups:
: 15. Olly Woodburn, 14. Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Will Rigg, 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Steve Varney, 1. Scott Sio, 2. Jack Yeandle, 3. Jimmy Roots, 4. Dafydd Jenkins (c), 5. Andrea Zambonin, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Ross Vintcent, 8. Greg Fisilau
: 16. Joseph Dweba, 17. Ethan Burger, 18. Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19. Rus Tuima, 20. Finn Worley-Brady, 21. Tom Cairns, 22. Will Haydon-Wood, 23. Campbell Ridl
: 15. Ben O'Connor, 14. Thaakir Abrahams, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Alex Nankivell, 11. Diarmuid Kilgallen, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Craig Casey, 1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Lee Barron, 3. John Ryan, 4. Edwin Edogbo, 5. Tadhg Beirne (c), 6. Jack O'Donoghue, 7. Alex Kendellen, 8. Gavin Coombes
: 16. Niall Scannell, 17. Michael Milne, 18. Michael Ala'alatoa, 19. Tom Ahern, 20. Ruadhan Quinn, 21. Ben O'Donovan, 22. Sean O'Brien, 23. John Hodnett.
Some pre-game reading as we count down to kick-off?
Alex Nankivell, who's at 12 today, tells Brendan O'Brien about Tadhg Beirne's 'farmer strength'.
While Sean O'Brien tells Simon Lewis about returning to familiar territory at Sandy Park and how influential Chiefs boss Rob Baxter was in his career.
Brendan O'Brien is at the venue for us and will bring us reaction and an analysis after the game -- as well as some insight throughout.
He checks in with this news: "Munster won the toss and have elected to play into what is going to be a very strong wind in the first-half. The southwest of England is to be spared the worst of the effects of Storm Dave, but winds of 34kph are still expected here today."
The visitors are on the way meanwhile, making the short walk to the ground:
Have you had your Weetabix?
Good morning - strap in for some early European, loser-leaves-town rugby.
Munster are preparing to take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park and we're going minute-by-minute.
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