The Leicester Tigers beat the Exeter Chiefs 16-12 in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final, while there were wins for Clermont, Bayonne, La Rochelle and Toulouse in the French Top 14.

Following runaway victories in their respective semi-finals, Leicester and Exeter were engaged in a close affair for cup honours at the Stoop.

The Tigers had the hosts on the ropes in the first half, as they opened a 16-5 lead via three penalty goals by Freddie Burns, coupled with a converted try.

Play after the break was less lively, with the only points coming in the 77th minute when the Chiefs narrowed the gap to four, courtesy of a converted try. In the end, Leicester’s first-half points accumulation proved to be enough for them to be crowned champions.

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Meanwhile in the French Top 14, Clermont scored nine tries, including one each from Flip van der Merwe and Scott Spedding, to thump Pau 65-13, Bayonne upset Bordeaux 24-20 at home, La Rochelle’s excellent run of form continued with a comprehensive 36-7 triumph over Brive, Toulouse hammered Lyon 42-26 and Grenoble rallied to snatch a valuable 23-23 draw against Toulon.

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