DECLAN Kidney paid tribute to Exeter Chiefs after they ran in six tries in a 45-5 trouncing of London Irish, writes Richard Ashton.

Exiles' recently-appointed technical director saw his side's hopes of Aviva Premiership survival left hanging by a thread at Madejski Stadium, but admitted the reigning champions and table-toppers were simply too good.

He confessed: "They’re top of the league and for a reason. They were ultra-efficient – they got to our goal-line four times and came away with four tries. They’re exceptionally good at that.

"We were beaten by a better side."

He continued: "Nobody likes losing, especially when you take a good beating like that, but some times you are beaten and Exeter did play well.

"They won most of the battles and you have to give them an awful lot of credit for the way they went about their business.

"Teams in their position could take teams in our position lightly, but I thought they showed us a lot of respect."

Captain Franco van der Merwe echoed Kidney's sentiments, reflecting: "They played really well and showed why they’re the reigning champions. They put us under so much pressure, keeping us in the 22 and just waiting for that little mistake and then you’re in trouble.

"In the first half it felt like we had the ball once and when they had it they showed what a quality side they are.

"They keep the ball the whole time and just keep going from one side to another, gaining a few yards here and there and then all of a sudden they’re in the 22."

He continued: "It was one of those days where Exeter played really well.

"We’re not feeling sorry for ourselves, we’ll take it on the chin and keep our heads up.

"We were 14 points down very early, but we kept on fighting."