In fact what transpired was one of the best European finals in its 25 year history. Yes, error strewn at times and occasionally erratic and random but also a pulsating, engrossing contest full of wonderful skills, monstrous hits and dramatic twists.
This contest above almost all others deserved a beery, colourful 80,000 crowd going delirious with excitement, but instead it was played out to the echoing sound of solitary voices in the stands while even BT Sport, for whatever reason, decided to cut the ambient noise and cheering they normally feed into our Premiership games.
Given all that you can only praise every single player from both sides who took the field yesterday. Somehow they conspired to serve up a high octane rip snorter. Heaven knows where they conjured up the physical intensity and inspiration amid the morgue like stadium but they did and frankly we are in awe of them.
It was moving, and instructive, seeing many Exeter players immediately reach for their smart phones on the touchline after the final whistle, desperate for some face time with loved ones and friends. They badly wanted that nod of approval and human contact, that sense of sharing, that makes all these things worthwhile.
Most sports stars dislike the presumption that they must also be role models, though most try their best, but it’s games like this when they achieve just that. Such professionalism, endurance and passion in the most difficult of circumstances. That’s not a bad message to be preaching in this of all years.
Denne historien er fra October 18, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 18, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.