Exeter claimed a first English Premiership victory of the season at the ninth attempt as they edged out Gloucester 22-15 on Sunday.
The Chiefs climbed off the basement above Newcastle after a nervy encounter at Sandy Park
It came after former Brumby Tamati Tua crossed for his maiden try for the English club.
Tua, who made the move at the end of 2024, crossed in the 17th minute after hooker Dan Frost scored in the opening minutes
Prop Josh Iosefa-Scott’s late try secured the points following a strong Gloucester second-half fightback.
Exeter led at the break following the pair of tries with Henry Slade converting both scores, as Gloucester were reduced to a solitary Santi Carreras penalty.
But tries in quick succession after the interval for fly-half Gareth Anscombe and replacement prop Jamal Ford-Robinson, one converted by Carreras, put them ahead.
Carreras, though, also missed a conversion and a penalty, and Exeter closed the game out via a Slade penalty and Iosefa-Scott’s try.
In France, Adam Coleman and Lachlan Swinton continued Bordeaux-Begles’ great start with a 21-17 win over Toulon.
Toulouse returned to the summit of the Top 14 rankings on Sunday with a 38-23 home win against Stade Francais despite missing Antoine Dupont after the star scrum-half’s late withdrawal through sickness.
The reigning double champions took back top spot from Bordeaux and claimed the title of “autumn champions” as the French league reached its midway point.
First-half tries from Julien Marchand and Paul Graou gave Toulouse a 14-6 lead at the break against their Parisian opponents.
France international fly-half Romain Ntamack scored his first try of the campaign shortly before the hour as Toulouse then fought on to earn a bonus point win thanks to two further tries by hooker Peato Mauvaka.
A Will Skelton-less La Rochelle went down 21-13 to Perpignan whilst Feleti Kaitu’u and Racing 92 were held to a 25-all draw against Lyon.
