Exeter Takes Early Control with Slade's Try
Henry Slade's 10th try of the season gave Exeter a strong advantage early in the second half of their match against Saracens.
Tries: Norey, Slade, Zambonin, Varney Cons: Slade 3 Pens: Slade 2
Tries: Elliott, Isiekwe Con: Farrell
Exeter Clinches Play-Off Semi-Final and Ends McCall's Tenure
Exeter Chiefs defeated their rivals Saracens 32-12, securing a Premiership play-off semi-final spot and bringing an end to the long-standing leadership of Saracens' director of rugby, Mark McCall.
This victory elevated Exeter to third place in the Premiership standings, setting up a semi-final match at Bath next week following Bath's win over Leicester, which dropped Leicester to fourth place.
Tobias Elliott opened the scoring for Saracens with an early try, which was quickly matched by Henry Slade's penalty. The first half was tense, with few scoring opportunities, including a disallowed try for Saracens' Rotimi Segun.
In stoppage time of the first half, Saracens scrum-half Charlie Bracken was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. Exeter capitalized on the numerical advantage when Max Norey scored from a well-executed lineout, giving the Chiefs the lead at halftime.
With Saracens still down to 14 men, Slade extended Exeter's lead early in the second half by scoring his second try, following a strong break. He then added a second penalty to increase the margin.
Italy lock Andrea Zambonin secured the win with a try 16 minutes from the end, marking Exeter's return to the play-offs for the first time since 2021.
Saracens' Nick Isiekwe scored with eight minutes remaining, but Exeter scrum-half Stephen Varney sealed the bonus point with a try two minutes from full time.
Mark McCall Reflects on His Career
For Saracens' Mark McCall, this match marked his final significant encounter with Exeter, a rivalry that defined much of the second half of the 2010s. McCall's 17-year tenure as director of rugby concludes this season.
During his time, McCall lost only one knockout game to Exeter—the 2017 Premiership semi-final—and defeated them in three Twickenham finals between 2016 and 2020.
Although this game was not officially a knockout match, it carried the same high stakes, effectively serving as a winner-takes-all contest for a semi-final berth.
Exeter, still feeling the impact of the salary cap scandal that led to Saracens' relegation in 2020, approached the match with palpable tension at a packed Sandy Park.
Match Details and Key Moments
Max Norey's second try in three games gave Exeter a half-time lead.
Saracens responded quickly as Elliott scored in the right corner shortly after Saracens were awarded a scrum under Exeter's posts, following a clearing kick by Harvey Skinner that went out on the full.
Slade's penalty in the 18th minute put Exeter on the scoreboard, but the Chiefs struggled to penetrate Saracens' territory in the first half, missing the influence of injured players Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Greg Fisilau, despite favorable wind conditions.
Saracens also lacked cutting edge until Fergus Burke made a notable break, setting up Segun on the left flank. However, Segun lost control of the ball as he dove over the corner, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Exeter increased their tempo near the end of the half, forcing Bracken into a reckless swipe at a Slade pass during a Chiefs attack in stoppage time. Bracken's subsequent sin-binning led to Slade kicking a penalty to the corner, and hooker Norey finished a quick move to score.
Second Half Dominance and Final Score
Exeter capitalized on their man advantage again seven minutes into the second half. Campbell Ridl made a superb break, supported by Olly Woodburn and Slade, who scored his 10th try of the season.
Slade added a penalty four minutes later, as Exeter's confidence visibly grew. McCall responded by introducing former England captain Owen Farrell and young winger Noah Caluori with 25 minutes remaining.
Despite these changes, Saracens struggled to impact the game, as Exeter maintained dominance in possession and territory.
When Exeter won a scrum penalty five meters from Saracens' line with 16 minutes left, they converted the opportunity with Zambonin scoring from close range.
Isiekwe scored Saracens' final try following a well-executed passing move, but it was insufficient to alter the outcome.
Exeter's Varney capitalized on a Saracens error in his own 22, kicking the ball twice downfield before sprinting over to the try line, igniting celebrations at Sandy Park.
Team Line-Ups
Exeter: Woodburn; Brown-Bampoe, Slade, Ikitau, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Norey, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins (capt), Zambonin, Hooper, Tshiunza, Roots.
Replacements: Dweba, Burger, Tchumbadze, Tuima, James, Cairns, Wimbush, Hammersley.
Saracens: Malins; Elliott, Tompkins, Hartley, Segun; Burke, Bracken; Mawi, George, Street, Itoje (capt), Tizard, McFarland, Earl, Willis.
Replacements: Dan, Carre, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Michelow, Van Zyl, Farrell, Caluori.
