Exeter Chiefs erase 16-point deficit to stun Bath and reach Premiership final

Exeter Chiefs produced a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Bath 27-26 at the Recreation Ground on Saturday, ending the reigning champions’ hopes of a third successive Gallagher Premiership final appearance and setting up a showdown with Northampton Saints at Allianz Stadium next weekend.

Trailing 26-10 at half-time, Exeter scored 17 unanswered points after the break to complete one of the more remarkable turnarounds in recent Premiership play-off history. The victory denies Bath a place among only four clubs — Wasps, Leicester, and Saracens being the others — to have won back-to-back Premiership titles since the play-off era began 24 years ago.

Bath had looked entirely in control through the first 40 minutes. Exeter wing Campbell Ridl had a early touchdown correctly ruled out for a forward pass from Joe Slade, and Bath capitalised on Slade’s subsequent yellow card as hooker Beno Obano crossed from close range, with Santiago Carreras converting. Number eight Alfie Barbeary then created a second try for Du Toit, before Joe Cokanasiga — a constant menace with his physicality — finished off a move created by centre Ollie Lawrence. A brilliant Ben Spencer cross-kick found Henry Arundell, who squeezed over in limited space to make it 26-10 at the interval.

Exeter rugby director Rob Baxter had already made adjustments before the break, sending on Hammersley for Ridl in the 31st minute and shifting Olly Woodburn to the wing. Those changes paid dividends in the second half, with Woodburn and Slade combining to send Hammersley over for a converted try that reopened the contest.

The momentum shifted decisively when the rampaging Fisilau crashed over to bring Exeter within four points, and Bath’s afternoon worsened when Cokanasiga was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on. With Bath under ferocious pressure and their half-time cushion rapidly disappearing, Exeter went ahead through Burger’s score 12 minutes from time.

Bath threw everything at a late rescue, going through 40 phases during a frantic finale, but replacement prop Billy Sela was held up over the line as Exeter held firm. The Chiefs will now face Northampton Saints in the Premiership final.