Cardiff Rugby left Sandy Park empty-handed as Exeter Chiefs took the spoils with a dominant performance in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

While qualification for the knockout stages was already secured, a victory in Devon would have ensured a home tie in the Round of 16.

The Blue & Blacks made 10 changes from the side that defeated Racing 92 at Cardiff Arms Park the previous week, with one eye on a crucial upcoming URC fixture against Benetton.

It proved a challenging afternoon for the Welsh capital side, as Exeter Chiefs claimed five tries on home soil.

Cardiff found themselves under early pressure as two opening penalties allowed Exeter to build momentum. The hosts kept the ball through multiple forward phases before tighthead prop Bachuki Tchumbadze powered over for the opening try in the sixth minute.

The task became steeper midway through the first half when Rory Thornton was shown a yellow card. Exeter capitalised ruthlessly, crossing for two tries in the space of four minutes, through Tchumbadze and Joseph Dweba, to open up a commanding lead and leave Cardiff with a significant deficit to overturn.

The first half yielded no points for the Blue & Blacks, with possession and territory hard to come by. Exeter dominated the collision area, controlled the aerial exchanges and dictated proceedings.

Cardiff emerged after the break with renewed energy, forcing their way into the Exeter 22, but were unable to convert pressure into points. The visitors thought they had opened their account in the 51st minute when Tom Bowen chased his own kick through and dotted down, only for the TMO to rule it out for a knock-on in the build-up.

Any remaining hopes were extinguished with 14 minutes remaining when Julian Heaven crossed to secure the bonus point for Exeter, effectively sealing the contest. Exeter rubbed salt in the wound with a final score in the 78th minute through winger Paul Brown-Bampoe. 

Despite the defeat, Cardiff progress to the European Challenge Cup Round of 16, where they will face either Benetton away from home. The Blue & Blacks will be eager to improve on last season’s European campaign, which ended with defeat at the same stage to Connacht.

Attention now turns back to domestic action, with a vital home URC fixture against Benetton next up as Cardiff continue their push for a place in the play-offs.