EXETER STUN BATH 27-26 TO REACH PREMIERSHIP FINAL

Exeter Chiefs produced a second-half comeback to defeat Bath 27-26 in a Premiership semi-final at the Recreation Ground on 13 June 2026. The Chiefs trailed 26-10 at half-time but scored 17 unanswered points after the interval, with tries from Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau and Ethan Burger securing victory. Bath, the defending champions, pressed for a winning score in the closing stages but were held up over Exeter's try line after more than 40 phases of play. Exeter will face Northampton Saints in the final at the Allianz Stadium the following Saturday.

The victory marked only the second away semi-final win in the Premiership over the past decade. Exeter finished ninth in the 2024-25 season, their worst-ever league finish, before spending the summer rebuilding their squad. The Chiefs had defeated Bath at Sandy Park weeks earlier and controlled significant portions of the semi-final, though early handling errors limited their opportunities. Bath's fly-half position saw Santiago Carreras start in place of the injured Finn Russell, and an early intercept prevented Exeter from scoring first.

The result represents a third Premiership final appearance for Exeter in their history, with the club seeking a third league title. For Bath, the loss ended hopes of a second consecutive title and third Premiership final. Exeter's path to the final caps their recovery from their poorest league season on record, whilst Bath's season concluded with the defending champions eliminated at the semi-final stage.