The Prem semi-final: Bath 26-27 Exeter – Chiefs fight back at Bath to reach final

The Prem

Bath (26) 26

Tries: Obano, Du Toit, Cokanasiga, Arundell Cons: Carreras 3

Exeter (10) 27

Tries: Tshiunza, Hammersley, Fisilau, Burger Cons: Slade 2 Pens: Skinner

Exeter Chiefs produced a sublime second-half turnaround to stun defending champions Bath 27-26 at the Recreation Ground and reach their first Prem final since 2021.

The Chiefs became just the second side in the past decade to win a semi-final away from home and will go to the Allianz Stadium next Saturday for the seventh time in their history to face Northampton Saints for the title.

Exeter were 26-10 down at the break but scored 17 unanswered points in the second half as Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau and Ethan Burger all crossed as Bath fell apart, and Joe Cokanasiga was sent to the sin-bin.

Bath had a chance to win the match in the closing minutes and went through more than 40 phases right in front of Exeter’s try line, but rather than go for a drop goal they were ultimately held up over the line with their season coming to an abrupt end.

More to follow.

Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Ojomoh, Arundell; Spencer (c), Carreras; Obano, Dunn, Du Toit Roux, Ewels, Bayliss, Underhill, Barbeary.

Replacements: Tuipulotu, Van Wyk, Sela, Molony, Hill, Van der Linde, Redpath, Reid.

Sin-bin: Cokanasiga (64 mins)

Exeter: Woodburn; Brown-Bampoe, Slade, Ikitau, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Norey, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins (c), Zambonin, Hooper, Tshiunza, Fisilau.

Replacements: Dweba, Burger, Tchumbadze, Tuima, Vintcent, Cairns, Wimbush, Hammersley.

Sin-bin: Slade (10).

Referee: Christophe Ridley.