Stunning. Simply stunning. Exeter Chiefs produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of the Prem play-offs – with echoes of ‘Bristanbul’, when Harlequins famously came from 28-0 down to beat Bristol – to book their place in the final against Northampton Saints next Saturday.
No side has gone on to win the Prem title after finishing in third place in the league, but Rob Baxter’s side will now travel to London believing that anything is possible in the final. After beating the defending champions Bath in this manner, why not?
There were similarities in their victory over Saracens last weekend in the final round of the regular competition, which booked Exeter their place in the play-offs. Here they stirred themselves after a rather passive first half in which Bath took complete control.
At 26-10 after 50 minutes, Exeter looked dead and buried only for tries by Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau and Ethan Burger to turn the game on its head. And yet there was still time for more drama.
With Henry Slade missing two conversions, Bath had one last opportunity to snatch victory but a heroic defensive effort by Exeter in the final seconds held firm in the face of a 43-phase attack, with Billy Sela held up over the line by Olly Woodburn and Slade in the third minute of added on time. How appropriate it was that two of Exeter’s veterans, who remember the club’s best of times, were there at the death.
The Recreation Ground faithful were stunned. How Bath missed Finn Russell, who was out of the game with a groin injury. And one wonders why his replacement Santiago Carreras did not attempt a drop-goal attempt at the death, when Bath spent sustained spells in front of the Exeter posts yet opted to pick and drive. Mind, Russell is not known for his dropped goals either.
Bath’s super strength is scoring from close range and in that sense, there was probably more certainty in using their forwards to go for the try and that only underscores the doggedness of Exeter’s defensive effort when their legs must have been gone.
It was Baxter’s 34th wedding anniversary and it will be remembered as one of his best. It seems he was the calmest man in the stadium at half-time, and instilled belief in the players that victory was still possible. It was Exeter’s bench that turned the game, with their punchy impact also turning Bath’s early scrum dominance on its head.
“Bath are a very good side, who are the current champions everything was stacked against us, and then we’re 16 points down at half-time and our scrums getting beaten,” the Exeter director of rugby said.
“If you’re not emotionally involved together, that game becomes 30 or 40-points in the second half. But these lads aren’t like that, they are emotionally tied together. There’s the biggest credit I can give them, more than anything else.
“Because of that, and you might think you might not believe this, but I said: ‘I’m pretty confident where we are now at half-time.’ Because for me we were only losing the game on the scoreboard and at the set piece. I don’t think we were losing it anywhere else. And that’s what I said to them, ‘We can change that very quickly.’”
And so they did, snatching momentum in remarkable fashion. Exeter took full advantage of a yellow card for Joe Cokanasiga for knocking a ball on as he attempted an interception. But in truth Bath’s undoing was their failure to keep playing when the game was in their grasp.
It took Johann van Graan’s side just 32 minutes to run in four tries, with Beno Obano, Thomas du Toit, Cokanasiga and Henry Arundell all touching down. No-one in the ground would have believed that Arundell’s try would be the last point the home side would score.
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 13, 2026BATH OPEN THE SCORING 🤩🛁
Henry Slade's yellow card is punished instantly as Beno Obano crashes over from close range 🟨💥
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For van Graan, it was his side’s lack of ruthlessness that ultimately would let them down. “Our intent was excellent in the first half but we did not put them away, we left a few chances out there,” he said.
“Minutes 40 to 60 hurt us in terms of not being able to get out of the kicking cycle and ultimately our discipline was not good enough in the second half. In the moment gutted and disappointed. Gutted to lose it like this but amazing for Exeter to win it like this. We will reflect tonight on the memories we have made.”
At the final reckoning Baxter hugged his coaching team, with forwards coach Ross McMillan shouting “Never give up”, as he punched the air. It captured the moment perfectly.
It was only the third time in 17 years a third-place side has reached the final. And given that Exeter finished the league in ninth place last season, their victory represents a remarkable rebuilding job by Baxter. The signings of Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper, Stephen Varney and Andrea Zambonin have proven to be among the best of the season. But what Baxter has also instilled in the new group is some of the resilience and competitiveness of previous sides.
“Some of these lads, they’ve got the confidence and belief to think they can do anything, and that’s how I want them to feel,” added Baxter. “My job is to just get them ready enough, and more than anything emotionally ready enough to put another 80 minutes together, because you know if they can. If they can roll up like that again, it’s going to be hell of a day.”
Match details
Bath: T de Glanville; Cokanasiga, O Lawrence, M Ojomoh, H Arundell; S Carreras, B Spencer (B van der Linde 76); B Obano (F van Wyk 59), T Dunn, T du Toit (B Sela 61), Q Roux (T Hill 51), C Ewels (R Molony 58), J Bayliss, S Underhill (M Reid 51), A Barbeary. Sin-bin: Cokanasiga.
Exeter Chiefs: O Woodburn; P Brown-Bampoe, H Slade, L Ikitau, C Ridl (B Hammersley 31, Z Wimbush 68), H Skinner, S Varney; S Sio (E Burger 44), M Norey (J Dweba 44), J Iosefa-Scott (B Tchumbadze 44), Dafydd Jenkins (R Tuima 76), Andrea Zambonin, Tom Hooper, C Tshiunza R Vintcent 61), G Fisilau. Sin-bin: Slade.
Referee: Christophe Ridley.
Bath boss Johann van Graan
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“Our intent was excellent in the first half but we did not put them away, we left a few chances out there. Minutes 40 to 60 hurt us in terms of not being able to get out of the kicking cycle and ultimately our discipline was not good enough in the second half. One point is the biggest and smallest margin in sport. Well done to Exeter and good luck to them and Northampton in the final. we were set up for the drop goal and to take it wide. Ultimately the decision was taken to pick and go and I back the team with that. We win together and lose together. I am proud of what we have done. In the moment gutted and disappointed. Gutted to lose it like this but amazing for Exeter to win it like this. We will reflect tonight on the memories we have made.”
To drop goal or not to drop goal?
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— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 13, 2026🗣️ "Under the sticks, you've got to step up."
Brian O'Driscoll and Sam Warburton discuss Bath's decision to turn down a drop goal attempt at the death 😶 pic.twitter.com/EoLpQLTia2
Exeter DOR Rob Baxter
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“The first words I said to the boys at half-time was I was confident that we would win the game. I watched the last five minutes of the first half and Bath were doing everything to slow the tempo down. I think we worked them very hard for the scores they got and I knew we had time in the second half. I know we are resilient and I know we are fit. Bath got their momentum in the first half through winning the scraps and the set-piece. Once we started coming up with the scraps and the set-piece the game just flipped. That is the beauty of the set-piece and aerial battle. The more the game had movement in it the more it suited us. I do not know how we held them up at the end. This is a special group of players. This is a special day to be involved in as a coach. It is never one thing [to turn things around] . To be a decent Prem team, you have to be strong, fit and committed to it. You have to sacrifice for the team, it is never about you. We have some great individuals but every single one buys into the team.”
Baxter also got his shirt off in the Exeter dressing room!
Emotional
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Whilst the Exeter dressing room are on a real high looking forward to the final, Bath are left to rue what could have been. They were 16 points up at half-time at home and had the chance to win it at the death but fluffed their lines. Should Santiago Carreras have gone for the drop goal? He has never scored one for Argentina, Gloucester or Bath but surely should have pulled the trigger. He is consoling Joe Cokanasiga, who is in tears after his yellow card in that second half which was a huge moment. Finn Russell is also in the conversation; would Russell have pulled the trigger and gone for the drop goal? Bath won three trophies last season but will end this season trophyless.
Man of the match Harvey Skinner
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“I have no words to describe that, it was mental. We showed great character as Bath really took it to us. The key message was to not stop believing and the boys showed some great fight. We stuck at it and it came good in the end. Bath have a big power game. We have to attack the game. The bench came on and did a great job. We knew we had opportunities and stuck at it. We approached it one moment at a time and these types of games are won and lost on physicality really. If we matched physically we knew we could come good. Huge credit to the boys up front.”
Henry Slade speaking to TNT Sports
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“We were fully committed to defending what was in front of us [at the death] and put our bodies on the line to defend our line. I am so proud of the boys and it was a similar game to the one here earlier in the season. They were 26-0 up in that game, we then came back but they ended up winning it at the end in a similar position to this one. We have learnt from that and stayed strong there. When you are fighting for your mates and each other, it gives you that little extra bit of energy. You always have more in you than you think and that really came to fruition today, stepping up. Not too much chatting at half-time, we are confident in our abilities. We felt if we stayed in it we would come good. Our body language and energy probably pipped theirs. The first half was tough but we backed our physical ability and fitness.”
What a difference a year makes!
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A year ago, Exeter finished ninth in the Gallagher Prem with only Newcastle below them. They finished a whopping 43 points behind Bath last season but have just beaten the defending champions on their home turf to earn a place in next weekend’s final.
Exeter advance to the final
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Bath hit nearly 40 phases but Sela is held up over the line right under the sticks! Drama at the death and Exeter will play Northampton next weekend in the final! A herculean defensive effort on their own line for phase after phase and somehow they hold out. The Rec is stunned as the defending champions will not defend their crown next weekend in the final. It was incredible from Woodburn and Wimbush to hold Sela up over the line. You thought last night’s semi-final was incredible, that one might have topped it. At half-time, Exeter were 26-10 down and somehow have come from 16 points down to the defending champions to win. Why did Carreras not go the drop goal? He never looked convinced and never seemed to go into the pocket at any moment.
Exeter have done it! Extraordinary. Over 40 phases in that last defensive stand. Huge question marks for Bath and Carreras - why not drop a goal? Unfathomable.
81 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 27
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Carreras is brought down just shy of the line as Bath have nearly hit 30 phases...
80 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 27
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This is the game as Bath are on the ball, 10 metres out from the Exeter line. Will they go for the drop goal? The clock hits the red.
What is Carreras’s maximum distance off the tee? Can he drop a goal? He might not need to!
79 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 27
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Bath are in possession just inside the Exeter 22 with just 60 seconds left.
76 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 27
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Exeter are edging closer to what would be a famous away victory as Skinner wins a penalty at a breakdown just outside his own 22.
73 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 27
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You can sense the tension inside The Rec right now. At half-time, Bath looked comfortable but with just over five minutes to go Exeter are ahead.
70 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 27
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Bath are shell-shocked. They steal possession straight from the kick-off but make no real ground before losing the ball. Vintcent then clears downfield and de Glanville is forced to race back. However, from just outside his own 22, he slices his kick straight into touch. Cokanasiga is also still in the bin for the next three minutes.
TRY! Burger puts Exeter ahead
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For the first time today, the visitors hit the front. With a penalty advantage in hand, Exeter’s pressure near the Bath line pays off as Burger powers over. The likes of Burger have made a huge difference off the Bath bench. The likes of Finn Russell, Guy Pepper and Joe Cokanasiga looks shell-shocked. Slade cannot add the extras but Exeter lead by one.
Exeter lead for the first time! Pints fly into the air in the away end - and now the Chiefs have 12 minutes to defend a one-point lead. A bad conversion miss from Slade.
Escape to victory? Remarkable stuff from Exeter. Bath have stopped playing. Exeter’s scrum now has the edge and with Cokanasiga in the sin bin, Exeter have taken the lead with a third unanswered try by Burger, a reward after Slade had turned down the chance to kick a simple penalty.
67 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 22
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Exeter are a few metres out from the Bath line and now have a penalty advantage for offside...
66 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 22
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Exeter are in possession inside the Bath 22 and the hosts clearly go off their feet at the breakdown. What do Exeter do? It is an easy three points but instead Slade puts it into the corner. That is a big, big call.
64 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 22
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Referee Christophe Ridley has been sent to the screen to look at a possible deliberate knock-on from Cokanasiga. He makes no genuine attempt to catch it and knocks it on with one hand. It is a slam dunk yellow card and Cokanasiga is correctly sent to the bin. How big a moment is that going to be? Bath will spend 10 of the remaining 16 minutes down to 14 men.
Cokanasiga sent to the sin bin... a massive moment! Exeter now have 10 minutes in which, you have to say, the match will be won and lost. Do not change the channel.
62 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 22
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One change apiece for the two teams. The Bath fans give a standing ovation to du Toit as he heads off on his final home appearance for the club. Sela replaces him.
Meanwhile Tshiunza, who scored that stunning try in the first half, is replaced by Vintcent. Tshiunza will be hoping this is not his final Exeter game as he moves to Sale this summer.
61 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 22
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Outstanding defiance by Exeter. This game was gone, with Bath in cruise control, but Exeter’s bench has made a punchy impact and tries by Hammersley and Fisilau have blown the contest wide open again. Slade’s missed conversion of Fisilau’s try might prove costly. But Bath know they need to respond now. It feels like there has been a momentum shift.
60 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 22
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Another big scrum from Exeter as their pack wins another penalty. It is mad to think in the first half Bath dominated at scrum time but since those changes in the Exeter front-row it has completely swapped around.
In the Exeter corner of the roofless stand which runs along the touchline here at the Rec, there is a group of rowdy Exeter fans who have barely sat down since their side set off on this remarkable comeback. They are making the most noise in the joint and, with a scrum penalty taking place right in front of them, they are having a whale of a time. The home fans have gone quite flat... through anxiety.
59 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 22
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That is big from Exeter. Bath have a lineout just outside the Exeter 22 and get the maul rolling into the 22. However, Exeter do a good job of disrupting proceedings and win the scrum. In the space of just 10 minutes, this game has completely changed.
58 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 22
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Bath needed to make some changes and they do so, with Tuipulotu, van Wyk and Molony all coming on.
57 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 22
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Some of the injured Exeter players, including England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, are amongst their travelling support and making their voices heard. The momentum has well and truly shifted.
TRY! Fisilau cuts Bath’s lead further
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The Exeter number eight was denied a few moments before but gets over the line this time as he powers over from close range. The travelling Exeter fans are roaring but Slade misses the conversion to the right. In the space of five minutes, Exeter have gone from 16 points down to just four points behind.
Do not write Exeter off. It is game well and truly on now. Fisilau has had a mammoth 10 minutes and it is the No 8, on the England radar, who puts the Chiefs right back in it. The momentum has swung and we have a four-point game.
55 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 17
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Exeter enjoy a spell of possession inside the Bath half and have a penalty advantage. Skinner then makes a break and offloads to Fisilau, who looks destined to score but is brought down just shy of the Bath line by a great try-saving tackle from Bayliss. Exeter are just inches short and have another penalty advantage...
53 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 17
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There have been far too many stoppages in this second half so far; it started nearly 20 minutes ago yet we are only 12 minutes into the second half on the clock.
The scrum battle has completely flipped since Exeter changed their entire front-row. Bath might have to make some changes now in their front-row.
52 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 17
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Bath have made a double change in the pack as Hill and Reid come on.
TRY! Exeter still alive through Hammersley
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A first-phase score from Exeter, who are not dead and their travelling fans are making plenty of noise. The timing of passes from Ikitau, Woodburn and then Slade are all to perfection, which ultimately leads to Hammersley going over. Slade gets the conversion and it is now a nine-point game.
A lifeline for Exeter! Hammersley goes over from a nice first-phase play. Tchumbadze has really shored up the scrum for Exeter, too. There are still nine points in it but it feels as though the contest might be back on...
50 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 10
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Barbeary catches Varney high and Exeter are awarded the penalty just inside the Bath half. Varney was falling so it is only a penalty. Skinner puts the kick into the Bath 22....
47 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 10
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Bath’s pack dominated at scrum time in the first half but Exeter have managed to turn things around with that entire front-row change a few minutes ago as they win a scrum penalty.
44 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 10
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Play is halted as referee Christophe Ridley wants Exeter loosehead prop Sio to receive some treatment. It appeared that Sio got the tackle slightly wrong and seems to have hurt his neck in the process.
Sio is going to head off and that could well be his last moment in an Exeter shirt as he moves onto Cardiff in the summer. Exeter actually take this opportunity to change their entire front-row.
On their bench Ridl has plenty of ice on his right knee, which was heavily strapped going into the game and probably explains his removal in the first half.
Second half
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We are back under way at The Rec. Bath lead by 16 and Exeter have so much work to do to make the final.
Bath on top at the break
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Hopes of a repeat of last night’s compelling context between Northampton and Leicester are being dashed. Bath are producing one of their best displays of the season, full of power, pace and menace. Alfie Barbeary, Max Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence are generating quick ball, and Ben Spencer is controlling the contest with aplomb. Exeter have looked dangerous when they have secured possession in the Bath half, but it has been scarce. Bath’s scrum dominance has also been significant in keeping Exeter on the back foot. The 16-point lead reflects Bath’s superiority. Exeter’s only hope is to score next in the second half, and somehow find a way to tame Bath’s explosive carriers.
Half-time: Bath 26 Exeter 10
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Carreras goes a cheeky long-distance drop goal but it is not the best of efforts. Exeter call the mark before booting the ball out of play.
That brings this first half to an end and Bath lead by 16 points at the break.
37 mins: Bath 26 Exeter 10
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The pressure is really on Exeter now as Bath are on the attack once more inside the Exeter 22. Another Bath try now could be terminal for Exeter.
Exeter’s defence though stands firm after numerous Bath phases and the visitors steal the ball after a Lawrence knock-on. Slade then races away but is brought down by Carreras just inside the Bath half and is taken into touch. A great recovery tackle from Carreras.
TRY! Arundell dots down
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Has Arundell scored? From the scrum penalty advantage, Spencer pulls off a stunning crossfield kick as he is tackled, which is caught by Arundell. Despite the attempted tackle of Brown-Bampoe, Arundell manages to dot down just before the dead-ball line. Carreras drags his conversion to the left.
Some of these tries... what a feast. Bath have another peach, this time finished superbly by Arundell. Is that the ball game, with still a half to play? Exeter are now three scores behind...
33 mins: Bath 21 Exeter 10
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Exeter have the put-in at a scrum inside their own 22 but the Bath pack completely dominates. The hosts earn a penalty advantage...
32 mins: Bath 21 Exeter 10
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Exeter are making a change in the backs as Hammersley replaces Ridl. It is a tactical change to take the 21-year-old Ridl off.
TRY! Cokanasiga extends Bath’s lead
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Just as Exeter reduced it to a four-point game, Bath strike again. Varney should probably intercept a pass on halfway but de Glanville takes the pass and offloads to Lawrence, who makes the break. As he approaches the Exeter 22, Lawrence spots Cokanasiga in space to his right and loops a long pass out to the right to allow Cokanasiga to score in he corner. Carreras gets the tough conversion.
TRY! Tshiunza scores stunner
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WOW! That is one of the finest finishes you will see, especially from a forward! On the Bath 10-metre line, Skinner puts Tshiunza into a gap and the Welsh back-row races towards the Bath 22. He not only shows great wheels but pulls off a stunning step off his right foot to completely bamboozle Carreras to score. Tshiunza, who joins Sale this summer, finishes with a aplomb with a Chris Ashton-esque swan dive! The easy conversion is added.
How Exeter needed that. Just when it looked as though it was getting away from the Chiefs, Tshiunza pulls a rabbit out the hat. Fierce acceleration and an ankle-breaker of a step to beat Carreras. Dave Walder, Exeter’s assistant coach, really enjoyed that one in front of us. Game back on.
23 mins: Bath 14 Exeter 3
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So nearly for Exeter. The space opens up for Exeter coming down their right inside the Bath half. It looks like they have the numbers to the right and the ball ends up with Brown-Bampoe on the right wing. He tries to make the corner but appears to be bundled into touch. However, his offload inside comes just before he went into touch but then Fisilau steps into touch before passing to Slade, who thought he had scored but Fisilau’s foot was on the line in touch. For the second time today, Exeter thought they had scored but it is ruled out.
21 mins: Bath 14 Exeter 3
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Slade returns after his period in the bin and that was a costly yellow card.
TRY! du Toit extends Bath’s lead
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Bath are going to miss the South African prop when he returns home this summer. First Barbeary carries hard inside the Exeter 22 before du Toit, from nearly 10 metres out, manages to plough his way through a number of Exeter defenders to somehow score. That is a fine finish with numerous Exeter players hanging off him, trying to stop him from powering over. Carreras gets the conversion.
Even for Du Toit, that is remarkable strength and power in the leg drive to get over from there. It has already become a good game for Exeter to win from here...
A huge moment in the game, even though we are just midway through the first-half. Exeter had been workmanlike in managing the 10 minutes with Slade in the sin bin, with Skinner landing a penalty. But Bath strike before his return, with Thomas du Toit powering over from close range. But the key carry was from Alfie Barbeary, whose has been making his presence felt so far. It feels early to be saying this, but Exeter must score next if they want to stay in touch in this play-off.
18 mins: Bath 7 Exeter 3
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Bath are in possession just inside the Exeter half and now have a penalty as Exeter are caught offside. Hooker Norey was the man to commit the offence. Will Bath go for goal or the corner? The answer is the latter, the aggressive call.
There might only be four points in it but, with the yellow card and numerous other infringements, Exeter have really got on the wrong side of Christophe Ridley’s whistle in the opening 20 minutes.
PENALTY EXETER!
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Skinner makes no mistake from the tee and Bath’s lead is cut to four points, with around five minutes to go in Slade’s period in the bin.
14 mins: Bath 7 Exeter 0
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Exeter win a penalty on the Bath 22 as the home side are pinged for side entry at a ruck. The visitors take the pragmatic decision to go for goal, which will also see Slade’s yellow-card period tick down a bit further...
TRY! Obano powers over
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Bath strike first and immediately take advantage of that Slade yellow card. Dunn takes the quick tap and is brought down just shy of the line before Obano gets over from close range. Hooper tried his best to hold the ball up but Obano finds the grass and the line. Carreras adds the extras.
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 13, 2026BATH OPEN THE SCORING 🤩🛁
Henry Slade's yellow card is punished instantly as Beno Obano crashes over from close range 🟨💥
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11 mins: Bath 0 Exeter 0
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Spencer’s 50:22 sets up a good attacking opportunity for Bath inside the Exeter 22. After a series of strong carries from the forwards, Bath now have a penalty advantage. However, things get even worse for Exeter as Slade deliberately goes off his feet and slaps the ball down so is sent to the bin.
Bath will take a quick tap...
8 mins: Bath 0 Exeter 0
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Bath make a great break from inside their own half, which stemmed from good work initially from Cokanasiga. Barbeary carries hard straight through one tackle and takes Bath into the Exeter 22. The pressure is on the Exeter defence as Exeter move the ball from left to right but Ridl intercepts a pass from Carreras and kicks clear.
What an intervention by Ridl, who prevents a gilt-edged opportunity for Bath to score the opening try. This has been a hectic start. The injured Finn Russell is watching on, and one wonders how badly Bath will miss him. Santi Carreras, his replacement has so far had a few shaky moments.
3 mins: Bath 0 Exeter 0
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The first penalty of the game goes the way of the visitors. Lawrence, who looked like he might be able to make the break, is brought down by a great tackle by Slade on halfway before Brown-Bampoe gets over the ball so quickly at the breakdown to win the penalty. Slade then puts in a sublime kick deep into the Bath 22. He has done that on plenty of occasions in his career and does so again.
Exeter then think they have scored the first try of the game from first phase but the whistle has gone. Exeter move it quickly from right to left and Slade swings a long pass out to his left to put Ridl in the corner but the pass had gone forward.
Henry Slade has picked up from where he left off against Saracens, with a huge kick to touch. Campbell Ridl goes over for a walk-in, but Slade’s pass is forward. Interesting to see how much space Exeter managed to open up from a line-out launch play.
Kick-off
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We are under way at The Rec. Will it be Bath or Exeter to join Northampton in the final this time next week?
Nearly ready for action
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The sun is shining in the west country and these are perfect conditions for some running rugby. It is a great atmosphere at The Rec ahead of this west country derby. First out are the visitors Exeter, led out by their captain Dafydd Jenkins.
The come the hosts Bath, aiming for their third straight Prem final, led out by Ben Spencer and the home crowd welcome them onto the pitch with plenty of noise.
Reminder of the teams
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Bath starting XV: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 Santi Carreras, 9 Ben Spencer (captain); 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary.
Replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Miles Reid.
Exeter Chiefs starting XV: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Campbell Ridl, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney, 1 Scott Sio, 2 Max Norey, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (captain), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 8 Greg Fisilau.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Zack Wimbush, 23 Ben Hammersley.
Farewell to Thomas the Tank
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South African tighthead prop Thomas du Toit plays his final home game for Bath today before his return to his homeland this summer. He has a pretty good try-scoring record during his time at Bath, which includes a hat-trick against Leicester last weekend. The 31-year-old has only been at Bath since 2023 but has the most tries by props in Prem history on 20 tries.
Bath without Finn Russell
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The Scotland fly-half was touch and go for this semi-final and Bath DOR Johann van Graan has admitted that Russell did some training this afternoon but was not quite fit enough to play today. Here are some statistics for how Bath have coped with and without Russell in the Prem this season:
With Russell: 11 games
Won: 8 games
Success rate: 73%
Without Russell: 7 games
Won: 5 games
Success rate: 71%
Can this semi-final match the first?
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The first semi-final at Franklin’s Gardens last night was an absolute belter as Northampton beat their east Midlands rivals Leicester in a cracker of a game. You can remind yourself of all the events from that game right here.
At 28, Harvey Skinner is putting his hand up for an England call
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One of the compelling subplots of the stunning revival of Exeter Chiefs this season has been the form of Harvey Skinner.
The 28-year-old fly-half can hardly be described as one of the fresh faces of Rob Baxter’s overhaul following last season’s ninth-place finish in the Prem. He made his senior debut for the club 10 years ago but spent most of the decade lining up behind Gareth Steenson or Joe Simmonds.
Last season, when he finally got the opportunity for a run of starts at fly-half after loan spells at Plymouth Albion and Cornish Pirates, the club’s collapse in form cost him his place again, with Baxter turning to Henry Slade or Ben Coen at 10.
Recent form of these two sides (all Gallagher Prem)
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Bath:
Bath 24 Leicester 22
Bristol 21 Bath 19
Bath 69 Newcastle 12
Exeter 35 Bath 12
Exeter:
Exeter 32 Saracens 12
Leicester 26 Exeter 35
Harlequins 41 Exeter 24
Exeter 35 Bath 12
Atmosphere building
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Both sides missing key players
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After the furnace of last night, the Rec right now, with the sun blazing above the Georgian skyline, is a picture of serenity. Give it an hour, however, and the place will be fizzing. Big names missing for both sides - Finn Russell and Guy Pepper for Bath, Ethan Roots and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for Exeter - could act as somewhat of a leveller. But, we all know how important home advantage is in these play-offs. For evidence of that, speak to Northampton and Leicester after last night.
How the top four finished up in the regular season
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Bath secured what could be a pivotal home semi-final on the final weekend with a win over Leicester. The stats highlight just how important being at home in the semi-finals is. There were just four points that separated these sides through 18 regular season games but Bath did win a couple more games.
Team news
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Finn Russell has missed Bath’s two games due to a calf injury and once more will miss out, with Argentine Santiago Carreras given the nod at fly-half in the absence of Russell. Tom Dunn and Quinn Roux are both back from suspension.
Bath starting XV: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 Santi Carreras, 9 Ben Spencer (captain); 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary.
Replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Miles Reid.
Exeter will travel to The Rec without the services of England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is out with a jaw injury. Ethan Roots is also ruled out with a head knock picked up in the win over Saracens last weekend. However, number eight Greg Fisilau is back in a boost for the visitors.
Exeter Chiefs starting XV: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Campbell Ridl, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney, 1 Scott Sio, 2 Max Norey, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (captain), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 8 Greg Fisilau.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Zack Wimbush, 23 Ben Hammersley.
Who will join Northampton in the final?
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The second Gallagher Prem semi-final takes place at The Rec as defending champions Bath host Exeter Chiefs, with a place in the final at Allianz Stadium next weekend at stake. These sides met just last month, with Exeter claiming a 35-12 win at Sandy Park, which was their first win over Bath since December 2022. However, Bath did win a dramatic encounter on this ground at the start of January with a try at the death to win it.
Bath played in winner-takes-all clash on the final day last weekend, beating Leicester Tigers 24-22 on this ground to claim a home semi-final. They are aiming to make their third straight Prem final, winning one last year and losing one in 2024.
“That is down to the squad and the training,” Bath DOR Johann van Graan told BBC Radio Bristol. This game is about players performing, day in, day out. You might win one game, or a few, but we have consistently performed in games, and picked up bonus points in defeats. We never reacted to the highs or the lows, and we have never stopped trying to improve; that is exactly what I wanted when I came in four years ago. We have a group that continually wants to get better and that is what pleases me the most.”
Exeter Chiefs also played in a winner-takes-all game last weekend, claiming a 32-12 home win over Saracens to take their spot in the semi-finals for the first time since 2021. It is in fact their first-ever away Prem play-off game, having secured home semi-finals every year between 2016 and 2021 as they made six straight Prem finals.
“We looked resilient and strong last weekend against Saracens, so that is good prep for Bath because it is going to be even more emotionally-charged this weekend,” Exeter DOR Rob Baxter said. “This will be a unique experience even for me because we have been in plenty of Prem semi-finals, but never away from home, so it will be another interesting challenge for us.
“Bath are a quality side. They are not second in the table and got to the Champions Cup knockouts for no reason. We have got our work cut out for us, but we are in the final four of the Prem, so it was always going to be tough. We have got to prepare to show the best of ourselves, because you can always walk away from any game well if you have done that.”
The omens are not in Exeter’s favour; since the play-offs were introduced, the home team has won 86% of the games, going into this year’s semi-finals. The winner of this game will face Northampton Saints in the final next weekend. Kick-off from The Rec is at 3pm.