Exeter Chiefs opened their new season with an extraordinary 75-0 destruction of an inexperienced Bristol Bears side at Sandy Park.

The Chiefs ran in 11 tries under the blazing hot September sun, with Jacques Vermeulen and Tom Cairns scoring twice. The other tries were scored by Henry Slade, Matt Postlethwaite, Ben Hammersley, Dan Frost, Ethan Roots and Ross Vintcent. The impressive Slade was also imperious with the boot, adding eight conversions to the monumental score.

While the Chiefs will not get carried away with this result, as there are undoubtedly tougher tests to come, it was the youthful spirit and freedom of the back three that will gave them great hope for the future.

Added to that, the centre partnership of Slade and Joe Hawkins looks very promising, while the Exeter pack is both powerful and dynamic. It could be another very special season at Sandy Park.