Sam Simmonds scored three tries yet still ended on the losing side as Exeter went down 37-26 to Montpellier in the Heineken Champions Cup.
The Tigers were unable to join city neighbours Leicester City in winning silverware in the capital.
The Tigers were unable to join city neighbours Leicester City in winning silverware in the capital.
Within each nation, the league is often a bellwether of how its representative team plays, as it is often the platform in which players enter the Test arena.
Variation shines when comparing early January wingers across the Premiership, PRO14 and Top 14, Montpellier fielding players with a 56kg weight difference.
With the Six Nations nearly upon us, it's shaping up to be a defining tournament for France, who have committed heavily to a rebuild under Fabien Galthié.
Samoan test regular Piula Fa'asalele has been handed a lengthy ban in France for dangerous play.
Montpellier put Toulouse to the sword, Piula Faasalele's dismissal proving to be costly as last year's runners-up scored 10 tries.
Lyon's defeat at champions Clermont allowed Montpellier to take ownership of first place in France's Top 14.
