The final scoreline - which is all that history will remember - is cruel on Exeter Chiefs, whose young side went toe-to-toe with the five-time Champions Cup winners Toulouse until the 48th minute before getting blown away 64-26 at the Stade Ernest Wallon.

Exeter took the lead 19-17 in the 42nd minute through Henry Slade’s fourth successful penalty kick of the game after an early try from Ethan Roots, but then the floodgates opened and the French side ran in nine tries in total with a defiant Zach Wimbush score for Chiefs.

READ MORE: Toulouse 64-26 Exeter Chiefs LIVE: Full reaction and highlights from the Champions Cup

In midweek, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said he was confident his side could find a way to score but was less certain the Devon side could keep out the free-flowing attack of Toulouse and so it proved with the Top 14 outfit setting a new record for points scored against Chiefs since their promotion into the topflight in 2010.

Toulouse, who will face Harlequins in the semi-final next month, had a trio of players record braces Blair Kinghorn, Pita Ahki and Juan Cruz Mallia, and solo scores for Romain Ntamack, Jack Willis and Antoine Dupont. Scotsman Kinghorn finished with 23 points after kicking five conversions and a penalty to add to his pair of tries. His replacement Thomas Ramos added six points to the tally from the kicking tee.

Going with an unchanged starting line-up from that which defeated Bath in the last 16, it was the Chiefs who started on the front foot, taking the lead inside five minutes wheny Slade slotted them in front with a penalty just metres from the home try-line.

That early lead, however, lasted just a matter of minutes as Toulouse claimed the game’s opening score when a burst down the left flank from Lebel carved the opening for Ntamack to glide over for the try, converted by Kinghorn.

A second Slade penalty kept the visitors firmly in the hunt, before fellow England international Roots got the Chiefs back in front once more, thundering his way over from a crafty tap penalty move to claim their opening score, which Slade was able to add the extras to.

Kinghorn and Slade exchanged successful penalties apiece as the Chiefs continued to keep their more illustrious hosts at bay. But, as half-time approached, it was the French side who clawed their way back in front.

Centre Ahki was the architect, his powerful run shaking off the attentions of Josh Hodge, before he fed the ball to former Wasps forward Jack Willis, who steamrollered his way over Harvey Skinner for the converted score.

Although there was little to choose between the sides at the turn, it was Toulouse who came out firing in the second period. Playing with advantage just minutes into the half, the hosts used their powerful pack to punch their way into enemy territory, the fruits of which allowed Kinghorn to find his way over for the score he also converted.

Worse was to follow just moments later as Ahki was able to race over for their fourth score, the centre given the freedom of the field as he finished off a brilliant switch back to Lebel, who picked his spot between Chiefs duo Jack Yeandle and Marcus Street.

The quick one-two from Toulouse had left the Chiefs reeling, but they were floored by a knockout double as first Kinghorn finished off a stunning back move in the right corner, before the dangerous Antoine Dupont got in on the scoring act, sidestepping his way over the whitewash for another converted score.

To their credit, the Chiefs refused to go quietly, claiming a consolation score when youngster Zack Wimbush was able to power his way through the middle following a five-metre line-out.

That would, however, be a rare highlight in a second half dominated by Toulouse, who wrapped up their victory with tries in the final quarter from Ahki and two from Cruz Mallia.

Toulouse: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Juan Cruz Mallia, 13. Paul Costes, 12. Pita Ahki, 11. Matthis Lebel, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (c), 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Peato Mauvaka, 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 4. Richie Arnold, 5. Emmanuel Meafou, 6. Jack Willis, 7. François Cros, 8. Alexandre Roumat

Replacements: 16. Julien Marchand, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Joel Merkler, 19. Thibaud Flament, 20. Joshua Brennan, 21. Paul Graou, 22. Thomas Ramos, 23. Santiago Chocobares

Exeter Chiefs: 15. Josh Hodge, 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Ollie Devoto, 11. Olly Woodburn, 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Tom Cairns, 1. Scott Sio, 2. Jack Yeandle, 3. Ehren Painter, 4. Rus Tuima, 5. Dafydd Jenkins (c), 6. Ethan Roots, 7. Christ Tshiunza, 8. Ross Vintcent

Replacements: 16. Jack Innard, 17. Danny Southworth, 18. Marcus Street, 19. Lewis Pearson, 20. Greg Fisilau, 21. Stu Townsend, 22. Will Haydon-Wood, 23. Zack Wimbush

Referee: Chris Busby (Ire)

Assistant referees: Eoghan Cross (Ire) and Andy Brace (Ire)

TMO: Mark Patton (Ire)