The English side responded to going 6-0 and 11-7 down by scoring a crucial try just before the break through Sam Simmonds, giving Exeter a three-point lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish for the remainder of the semi-final clash.

Harry Williams bagged his second try on the hour mark before Joe Simmonds grabbed his first and Exeter’s fourth to send the Chiefs into a first Heineken Champions Cup final, against Racing 92 next month.

And Baxter hailed his side’s resilience in a first period that was dominated by the visitors but ended with his side leading by three points at the break.

“It’s having an 80-minute game plan and having a confidence in it and the lads buying into it. That ultimately saw us through today,” Baxter said on Exeter’s official website.

“We had to weather the storm, we had to make them work hard for their points, but ultimately that’s what allowed us to get some points later on.

“Big games of rugby, they are like boxing matches. At some stages, the guy who can’t get his hands up any more can get knocked out. And we created enough of those moments today.

“Everyone bought into the overall 80 minutes. We made Toulouse have to keep getting off the floor, and made them have to keep doing something to get metres. Everyone bought into the whole 80-minute thing. What is the best way of fatiguing a big guy? You stick him on the floor and get him to get up.”

Baxter added that he is proud of the hard work that has been put in by his players and coaching staff in this long and disrupted European campaign.

“I feel very proud about it, but I feel amazing for the players,” he said. “This European season has been the longest ever. Our first pool game against La Rochelle was months and months ago, and we started this European journey then.

“Then we had lockdown, and our guys stayed in good nick. They worked hard, and that has allowed us to push on. You have got to keep handing it back to the players when you see performances like today.

“It has been a lot of hard work from a lot of good people, and it does feel like a fantastic achievement. Going up the road for the final is a reward you get for working hard through the pool. That’s how it works.”

Saturday 17 October – EXETER CHIEFS v RACING 92
Ashton Gate, Bristol (16:45 UK and Irish time)

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has praised his side for “weathering the storm” against Toulouse on Saturday before going on to win 28-18 and secure a spot in next month’s Heineken Champions Cup final.