Exeter dethroned Prem champions Bath and reached their first final since 2021 thanks to a storming second-half revival at the Rec.
The Chiefs’ proud 100-per-cent record in play-off games looked certain to end as Bath made light of Finn Russell’s absence to lead 26-10 at the break.
But tries from Ben Hammersley and Greg Fisilau got the visitors to within touching distance and, with Bath’s Joe Cokanasiga in the sin-bin, Ethan Burger barrelled over to give his side a 27-26 victory.
Exeter will play regular-season table-toppers Northampton in the final at Twickenham next Saturday.
How Exeter ended Bath’s back-to-back hopes
Bath were aiming to make a third-straight final and become just the fourth side since the introduction of the post-season play-offs to claim back-to-back titles.
Their chances looked good when they took advantage of an early yellow card for Henry Slade – for illegally halting an attacking phase – to cross twice through Beno Obano and Thomas du Toit, both converted by Santi Carreras.
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Tshiunza celebrates with the fans after the game
Exeter were on the board through a Harvey Skinner penalty and responded to going 14-3 behind with a superb individual try from Christ Tshiunza – finished with a swallow dive – only for Cokanasiga’s brute strength and a fine finish from Henry Arundell to open up a 26-10 half-time lead.
But Exeter – six from six in play-off games coming into this one – assumed control after the break and got to within four points as Hammersley finished after some good combination play involving Slade, who converted, and Fisilau then crossed.
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Burger’s close-range score completed the turnaround after Cokanasiga was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on, and Exeter survived an intense finale as Bath went through 40 phases of play in search of a winning score before prop Billy Sela was eventually held up over the line.