Wasps beat Exeter Chiefs in Premiership season opener

Wasps started their Aviva Premiership season opening match at the Ricoh Arena with a 25-20 victory over Exeter Chiefs.

The match saw former England star Danny Cipriani make his first start for Wasps in six years

Even though Wasps were playing at home it was Exeter Chiefs that got the better start as Thomas Waldrom opened the try scoring in the match.

Exeter extended the lead with a conversion and then a penalty. By half time Exeter led 8-17 and a short while later Slade added a penalty and the Chiefs were leading 8-20.

Wasps began their comeback with a try from scrumhalf Dan Robson. Gopperth’s conversion got Wasps to within 5 points and then Tommy Taylor levelled the scores. Gopperth added the conversion and another penalty.

Exeter settled for a losing bonus point.

Final Score Wasps (8) 25 Exeter Chiefs (17) 20

Scorers

Wasps
Tries – Gopperth, Robson, Taylor
Pen – Gopperth 2
Con – Gopperth 2
Drop –

Exeter Chiefs
Tries – Waldrom, Chudley
Pen – Slade 2
Con – : Slade 2
Drop –

Match Officials
Referee : Tom Foley (21st Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Referees: Gareth Copsey & Jonathan Healy.
TMO: Stuart Terheege.

Teams

Wasps: Miller; Wade, Daly, Gopperth, Bassett; Cipriani, Robson; Mullan, Taylor, Swainston, Launchbury (capt), Gaskell, Jones, Thompson, Hughes.

Replacements: Johnson, McIntyre, Moore, Symons, Rieder, Simpson, Macken, Halai.

Exeter Chiefs: Dollman; Woodburn, Devoto, Hill, Whitten; Slade, Chudley; Moon, Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Lees, Welch, Armand (capt), Salvi, Waldrom.

Replacements: Yeandle, Hepburn, Holmes, Parling, Dennis, Lewis, Steenson, Short.