From 26-10 win, Chiefs turned it around to win 27-26 and reach the final
Press Association Sport Reporters
17:36, 13 Jun 2026
BATH, ENGLAND – JUNE 13: Exeter Chief players celebrate and Bath look dejected as they are defeated by one point during the Gallagher PREM semi final match between Bath Rugby and Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground on June 13, 2026 in Bath, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
Bath’s hopes of booking a third successive Gallagher Prem final appearance in their quest for back-to-back titles ended amid dramatic scenes as Exeter beat them 27-26 at the Recreation Ground.
The Chiefs wiped out a 16-point interval deficit to score 17 unanswered second-half points and will play Northampton at Allianz Stadium next Saturday.
Only three clubs – Wasps, Leicester and Saracens – have won Prem silverware in successive seasons since play-offs were introduced 24 years ago, and membership of that elite group agonisingly eluded Bath.
The home side went through 40 phases of play during a frantic finale, but replacement prop Billy Sela was held up over the line, and Chiefs had made it mission accomplished.
Bath dominated the first half, scoring tries through Beno Obano, Thomas du Toit, Joe Cokanasiga and Henry Arundell, while Santi Carreras kicked three conversions.
BATH, ENGLAND – JUNE 13: Bath look dejected as they are defeated by one point during the Gallagher PREM semi final match between Bath Rugby and Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground on June 13, 2026 in Bath, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
But Exeter somehow turned things around following touchdowns from Christ Tshiunza, Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau and Ethan Burger’s 68th-minute clincher, with Henry Slade kicking two conversions and Harvey Skinner landing a penalty.
Exeter made a lively start and breached Bath’s defence inside three minutes, but wing Campbell Ridl’s touchdown was rightly ruled out following Slade’s forward pass.
Bath were soon into their familiar stride, though, and after Slade was yellow-carded by referee Christophe Ridley after illegally halting an attacking phase, Obano crossed from close range and Carreras converted.
With Slade temporarily out of the action, Skinner assumed kicking duties and landed a 15th-minute penalty to cut Exeter’s early deficit.
But Bath were soon back on the front foot, making their numerical advantage count through a second try, this time following number eight Alfie Barbeary’s half-break and Du Toit powering his way over. Carreras’ conversion made it 14-3.
It was a sizeable advantage for Bath, yet Exeter stung them through a superb solo try from Tshiunza – complete with celebration swallow-dive – that Slade converted to give Chiefs’ travelling fans plenty of encouragement.
But Bath had momentum, and Cokanasiga scored their third try that was created by centre Ollie Lawrence, before Carreras added another conversion.
Cokanasiga’s brute strength had caused Chiefs sufficient trouble for rugby director Rob Baxter to make a 31st-minute substitution, sending on Hammersley for Ridl and switching Olly Woodburn from full-back to wing.
BATH, ENGLAND – JUNE 13: Bachuki Tchumbadze (R) and Ethan Burger of Exeter Chiefs celebrate after their one point victory during the Gallagher PREM semi final match between Bath Rugby and Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground on June 13, 2026 in Bath, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
There was no let-up from Bath, and Arundell’s brilliant finish in limited space following a Ben Spencer cross-kick meant that Exeter trailed 26-10 at the break.
Exeter had the best of a tight third quarter, and they reduced their arrears in fine fashion when Woodburn and Slade combined slickly and Hammersley scampered his way across for a try that Slade converted.
And there was more trouble for Bath just before the hour when Chiefs struck again, this time through the rampaging Fisilau, and Exeter were suddenly just four points behind.
Chiefs’ cause was then helped by Cokanasiga receiving a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, and Bath were under ferocious pressure as their healthy half-time lead looked in danger of evaporating.
Exeter then went ahead 12 minutes from time through Burger’s score, and the Chiefs showed admirable composure to close out a famous victory after Bath camped on their line during the closing seconds.
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