One point separated Bath from another final and Exeter from a season-ending exit. At The Recreation Ground, the Chiefs overturned a 26-10 half-time deficit to beat the defending champions 27-26 and book a Gallagher PREM final against Northampton Saints at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday 20 June. The result was brutal for Bath, who had been chasing a third straight final under Johann van Graan.
Exeter’s comeback was built on patience, bench impact and a nerve-shredding final defensive stand. Bath drove through 41 close-range phases after the clock had gone red, only for Olly Woodburn and Henry Slade to get under Billy Sela and hold him up. Harvey Skinner, Exeter’s fly-half, was named TNT Sports’ official player of the match.
The Bottom Line
- Exeter Chiefs beat Bath Rugby 27-26 in the Gallagher PREM semi-final at The Recreation Ground.
- Bath led 26-10 at half-time after first-half tries from Beno Obano, Thomas du Toit, Joe Cokanasiga and Henry Arundell.
- Exeter answered after the break through Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau and Ethan Burger, with Henry Slade’s earlier kicking keeping them within reach.
- Bath were without Finn Russell for a third straight game because of a calf injury, with Santi Carreras starting again at fly-half.
- Exeter will face Northampton Saints in the final at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 20 June.
Breaking It Down
Bath arrived with the table position, the home crowd and the champions’ tag. Their 24-22 win over Leicester on the final day of the regular season had secured second place, while Exeter reached the play-offs by beating Saracens 32-12. The stage felt set for Bath’s consistency to carry them through: Van Graan’s side had spent every week of the past three seasons inside the play-off places.
The opening half seemed to confirm that script. Bath’s pack and backline both struck, with Obano, Du Toit, Cokanasiga and Arundell crossing before the break. Exeter did have a spectacular score through Christ Tshiunza, but Slade’s yellow card proved expensive, and at 26-10 Bath looked in control.
Then the game turned. Rob Baxter’s bench helped Exeter gain traction at the scrum, and the Chiefs began to stretch Bath’s defence with sharper phase play. Hammersley scored after Woodburn and Ikitau helped unlock the midfield, Fisilau powered over after Skinner’s break, and Burger drove in from a metre out after sustained pressure. Slade missed the conversion to Burger’s try, but Exeter still led 27-26.
Bath had chances to answer. Cokanasiga was cut down by Slade on the right wing, Cam Redpath won a turnover to revive the attack, and Carreras had earlier spotted space with an inventive grubber. The final opportunity became a siege: Bath battered away from close range, but Exeter held their line when it mattered most.
- Gallagher PREM
- The top English club rugby competition referenced in the match reports and play-off schedule.
- Play-off semi-final
- A knockout match deciding which side advances to the season finale at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
- Held up
- A defensive act where the attacking player is prevented from grounding the ball over the try line.
Why This Matters
For Exeter, this was more than an upset scoreline. Baxter had described the away semi-final as a unique challenge because the Chiefs had played plenty of PREM semi-finals before, but not away from home. Their previous run from 2016 to 2021 was built on finishing first or second and reaching six consecutive Twickenham finals from stronger league positions.
The result also reframes Bath’s season in a painful way. They were defending champions, had home advantage for a third successive year, and were aiming for another final under Van Graan. Missing Russell mattered because several sources described Carreras as deputising at 10, while Bath’s attack has been portrayed as stronger when Russell is pulling the strings.
For rugby followers across Britain, the final now has a different edge. Exeter have gone from third-place qualifiers to comeback finalists, while Northampton Saints await at Twickenham. It is also a reminder of how thin the line is in knockout rugby: one missed chance at a drop goal, one yellow-card spell, one final held-up carry can decide an entire season.
What Comes Next
Exeter Chiefs will play Northampton Saints in the Gallagher PREM final at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 20 June. The Bath-Exeter winner was already confirmed to meet the victor of Northampton Saints against Leicester Tigers.
Bath’s season ends with a one-point home defeat after leading by 16 at half-time. Exeter move on with momentum, a dramatic away play-off first behind them, and a final week built around recovery, selection and the challenge of facing Northampton.
FAQ
What was the final score in Bath vs Exeter?
Exeter Chiefs beat Bath Rugby 27-26 in the Gallagher PREM semi-final at The Recreation Ground on Saturday 13 June. Bath led 26-10 at half-time, but Exeter scored three second-half tries to complete the comeback.
Who will Exeter Chiefs play in the PREM final?
Exeter Chiefs will play Northampton Saints in the season finale. The final is scheduled for Saturday 20 June at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Why did Finn Russell not play for Bath against Exeter?
Finn Russell missed the semi-final because he had not recovered from a calf injury. He had also missed Bath’s away defeat to Bristol and the 24-22 home win over Leicester in the final two rounds of the regular season.
Who scored for Bath in the semi-final?
Bath’s first-half tries came through Beno Obano, Thomas du Toit, Joe Cokanasiga and Henry Arundell. Those scores helped Bath build a 26-10 lead by half-time.
How did Exeter complete the comeback?
Exeter fought back through second-half tries from Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau and Ethan Burger. Their defence then won the match by holding up Billy Sela after Bath had gone through 41 close-range phases at the end.
Who was player of the match in Bath vs Exeter?
Harvey Skinner was named TNT Sports’ official player of the match. The Exeter fly-half made a key break before Fisilau’s try and helped guide the Chiefs through a tense second half.