Exeter have been out of action since slipping to a 22-7 loss at Scotstoun Stadium, though their Round 1 demolition of Montpellier Hérault Rugby sees them sitting third In Pool A.

Rob Baxter’s men moved up to fifth in the Premiership after triumphing over Pool B team Bristol, with first-half tries from Tom O'Flaherty and Jonny Hill setting the 2020 Heineken Champions Cup winners on their way.

Henry Purdy went over for Bristol with 10 minutes to play and with Callum Sheedy, who had earlier kicked a penalty, converting to reduce the gap to 12-10, a nervy finish was in prospect, but Stuart Hogg dotted down to seal the home side’s win.

Elsewhere in the Premiership, Heineken Champions Cup Pool A side Sale Sharks overcame Pool B outfit Wasps 26-18 at the AJ Bell Stadium thanks to tries from Jean-Luc du Preez, Marland Yarde, Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Ben Curry.

Wasps’ Josh Bassett had scored the game’s first try, but the visitors had to wait until the final minute for their second, from Jimmy Gopperth, whose 13 points were a consolation.

In the United Rugby Championship, Johnny McNicholl notched a late brace of tries as Heineken Champions Cup Pool B team Scarlets secured a dramatic 22-19 home win over Pool A side Ospreys in the Llanelli-based region’s first game since October 22.

Ospreys had led through Rhys Webb’s double either side of a Luke Morgan score, but McNicholl struck twice in the final 15 minutes after tries from Gareth Davies and Steff Evans had kept Scarlets within striking distance.

Meanwhile, Connacht Rugby edged out Heineken Champions Cup Pool B rivals Munster Rugby 10-8 at The Sportsground thanks to a Bundee Aki try, converted by Conor Fitzgerald, and a Jack Carty penalty. Andrew Conway crossed for the visitors, with Ben Healy slotting a solitary three-pointer.

In the TOP 14, a Yohan Beheregaray try enabled Heineken Champions Cup Pool A club ASM Clermont Auvergne to chalk up a 16-13 home win over defending champions Stade Toulousain.

Juan Cruz Mallía scored Toulouse’s only try and Thomas Ramos kicked eight points for the Pool B team, but penalties from JJ Hanrahan and Camille Lopez, who also dropped a goal, proved decisive for Clermont.

At Stade Jean Bouin, Stade Français Paris were 27-17 winners over EPCR Challenge Cup outfit USAP thanks to two tries from Waisea Nayacalevu and 17 points from Joris Segonds.

Exeter Chiefs recorded a 19-13 home win over Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership at Sandy Park on Saturday in their first game since their Heineken Champions Cup Round 2 defeat at Glasgow Warriors last month.