Ten years after Exeter won promotion into England’s top tier at Ashton Gate, they won the biggest club prize in European Rugby at the same venue after a dramatic 31-27 win over Racing 92 in the showpiece final in Bristol.

And Baxter, who has a 25-year association with the Devon club, felt that the incredible story might have been written in the stars for his team to clinch a first European success.

“It’s incredible isn’t it,” said the Exeter director of rugby. “It’s an incredible story for these guys and an incredible story for the club.

“It’s going to be a game I remember for a very long time and it wasn’t the easiest game to watch. It was a horrible to watch and in last 10-15 minutes seemed to go on forever.

“But we’ve seen it out and it looks like it was meant to be a little bit.

“We fight for every inch no matter where on the field and I thought that was the bit we were really good at.

“We fought to get over the line and I’m glad we went for it and didn’t just take shots at goal because if we tried to ease into the game, we clearly would have lost.

“So I’m glad the lads stuck at it and especially because of the hard work and sacrifices made this year.”

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has said his side’s first Heineken Champions Cup success on Saturday “was meant to be a little bit”.