Well, that was comprehensive.

Exeter Chiefs started this competition as one of the favourites to lift the silverware in Bilbao, and today showed why.

Rob Baxter's men had the game done and dusted before half-time and today they were solid defensively would be a ludicrous understatement.

A chastening day for Cardiff, but when back to full strength in the knockout stages, they'll be a stronger force than they showed today.

Thank you for joining and there's still plenty of rugby to come this afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

Few arguments with that call.

The flanker spent the afternoon making ground with ball in hand, and hammering Cardiff players back when they tried to make inroads.

Exeter dominated physically today and the performance of Roots epitomised that.

It was billed as shootout for third place in the pool - but in that respect, it was machine guns v water pistols.

Exeter did nothing spectacular. They were simply too efficient and powerful for a Cardiff side that made a string of changes and clearly lacked cohesion as a result.

Both sides will now be in the last-16. The Chiefs however, will have a home tie while the Welsh side will be on the road.

Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

I thought Cardiff struggled to match Exeter's power. They choked the life out of Cardiff.

A much changed Cardiff team so they won't be to disappointed, but a good win for Exeter.

Charlie Chapman hoofs the ball off the field and that is that.

Image source, Getty Images

Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

Another nothing kick from Cardiff and Harvey Skinner has done superbly to carve through the defence.

A lovely little finish between Skinner and Brown-Bampoe for the try.

Replacement scrum half Charlie Chapman has been prominent since coming on for Exeter and a clever grubber kick has the Cardiff defence scrambling.

They get out of danger though as Taine Basham, who has worked tirelessly today, carries strongly upfield.

The game is done result-wise but in fairness to both sides, it's not just petering out here.

Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

The biggest difference between the two teams today has been the speed of the ball.

Exeter are getting the ball out so quick from the breakdowns.

Harvey Skinner kicks a penalty downfield to set up yet another attacking lineout.

Exeter are hunting a fifth try now.

Cardiff are still playing here, but like night follows day, an aimless chip comes after several phases of getting nowhere.

Moments later and a great offload from Dan Thomas gets them back on the front foot only for Ioan Lloyd to throw an attempted miss-pass straight into touch.

For the visitors, it's been that kind of day.

Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

That's the Exeter power game again. A simple peel off the back has overpowered the Cardiff defence

Cardiff have an attacking scrum but it's the Exeter front row that win the penalty.

In-keeping with modern rugby, the pack celebrate the whistle as if they've just lifted the actual trophy in the final.

Both sides ringing the changes here.

Exeter have definitely dropped their levels of intensity in attack as Cardiff press again.

But their simply struggling to make inroads. Another attack breaks down and Stephen Varney looks to break away - but luckily for the away side he's called back for an Exeter knock on.

Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

Cardiff are struggling to win the collisions on the ball carrier here this afternoon.

Another Cardiff attack, another few phases of going nowhere, another Ioan Lloyd kick ahead which Exeter deal with easily.

Might as well copy and paste that for later.

A loose ball bounces up for Cardiff hooker Evan Lloyd and he bulldozes over halfway.

Deja vu though. After running out of options, Johan Mulder opts to kick and it's an aimless one.

The amount of times Cardiff have run out of ideas today has been telling. That Bowen chip aside, they have rarely threatened to breach the Exeter defence.

Ah, that's savage.

The away fans finally think they have something to cheer as Tom Bowen rounds off a frantic few phases by gathering his own chip and chaser to score.

Referee Griffin Colby spoils the party though, asking the TMO to look at a potential knock on earlier in the move.

Sure enough, no try.

Comeback on?

Not yet it isn't. Tom Bowen thinks he's scored but we are going back to check a potential knock on.