Quins came into the game without England stars Marcus Smith, Alex Dombrandt and Fin Baxter, while their national team counterpart Henry Slade played for the first time since England's loss to the All Blacks in Auckland in the Exeter midfield.

Harlequins started superbly, and but for two try-saving tackles would have been two tries up inside the first 10 minutes - debutant Rigg stopping Will Evans in the second minute before an excellent tap tackle from Olly Woodburn felled Oscar Beard after Tyrone Green's excellent defence-splitting run.

But their pressure eventually told when Beard went over as Exeter slipped off tackles - but immediately from the restart the hosts replied as a wonderful series of attacking phases ended with Woodburn setting Ross Vintcent free for his first try of the season.

Just two minutes later Isgro powered his way over in the right corner for his third try in two Quins appearances as Exeter's defence again floundered. Their poor tackling was then exposed for Will Evans' try as he cruised through the midfield after Jack Kenningham had been held up over the line by Rig following a Lennox Anyanwu break.

Despite the visiting side's dominance, when Exeter had the ball they looked dangerous. Rigg took advantage of a tremendous pick-up by Josh Hodge to put the former Coventry man in towards the end of the half as Exeter somehow went into the interval still in touch with Danny Wilson's side.

Exeter started the second half as Quins had started the first Paul Brown-Bampoe forced into touch as he went for the left corner on the opening minute of the half and soon after kept Quins out from a five-metre line-out to boost their fragile defensive confidence.

Exeter got a further boost when a wonderful kick-pass from Isgro found Green who went in under the posts only for it to be disallowed for a forward pass in the build up.

Quins did get the bonus point try 13 minutes into the second half as Will Evans got his second after pressure at the breakdown, but Exeter replied within four minutes as Hodge's superb footwork opened the door for Hammersley to score his first Premiership try for the club.

Murley had a try chalked off for a foot in touch with 15 minutes left, but an infringement in the build-up saw Jarrod Evans kick over a simple penalty to extend the lead to 10 points.

Exeter tried their best to get a fourth try, but Harlequins stood firm and got a fifth try of their own that their play throughout the game probably deserved.

Replacement Danny Care got away down the left wing and kicked on for Murley to touch down.