THERE was a strong Somerset flavour to the Exeter Chiefs side which conquered Europe at the weekend.

Former Taunton Titans players Ben Moon, Joe Simmonds and Sam Skinner all contributed to the Chiefs' thrilling 31-27 win over Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup final, as did Bridgwater & Albion coach Ollie Devoto.

Simmonds, 23, captained Exeter - the youngest player to do so in the European final - and was a crucial part of his side's victory at Ashton Gate in Bristol.

The fly-half landed five kicks out of five attempts, converting the tries scored by Luke-Cowan Dickie, Sam Simmonds, Harry Williams and Henry Slade, before nailing a penalty with the last action of the match.

Simmonds had gained experience playing for the Titans during a loan spell in 2015/16, while prop Moon - who had made 25 appearances for Taunton as a 17-year-old in 2007/08 - came off the bench in the 56th minute of Saturday's game.

Scottish international forward Skinner, who spent a season at Taunton in 2013/14, came on three minutes later, as did Devoto, who joined Bridgwater as part of their coaching set-up in 2018.

It was a great weekend for South West rugby, with Bristol defeating Toulon in the European Challenge Cup final, and Exeter are looking to claim more silverware this coming Saturday, when they face Wasps in the Gallagher English Premiership final.