Exeter Chiefs advance to Premiership final after dramatic last-minute comeback against Bath
Exeter Chiefs secured a place in the Premiership final after a last-minute try in the dying seconds of their semi-final clash against Bath, according to the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The match, held at The Rec, saw Bath initially lead 19-10 at halftime, but Exeter staged a remarkable second-half resurgence to clinch a 24-22 victory.
The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when centre Ollie Thorley broke through Bath’s defense to score the match-winning try, as reported by BBC Sport. Bath had dominated early on, with fly-half Charlie Ewels kicking two penalties and winger Tom Homer touching down for a try. However, Exeter’s resilience paid off as they closed the gap through a penalty from fly-half Harry Williams and a try from replacement forward James Ratti in the 67th minute.
Finn Russell, Bath’s star fly-half, was ruled out of the match due to a shoulder injury, according to Planet Rugby. His absence was felt as Bath struggled to maintain their momentum after halftime. Exeter’s coach, Rob Baxter, credited his team’s “unwavering belief” in a post-match interview with Sky Sports. “We knew we had to fight until the last whistle. The lads showed incredible character,” he said.
The victory sets up a final against Saracens, who defeated Leicester Tigers 27-20 in the other semi-final. Exeter’s path to the title will be tested against a Saracens side led by captain Maro Itoje, who has scored 12 tries in the 2023-2024 season, according to the Premiership’s official website. The final is scheduled for May 25 at Twickenham Stadium.
Bath’s defeat extends their wait for a first Premiership title since 2007, while Exeter will aim to claim their second league crown following their 2020 victory. The result also highlights the competitive nature of English rugby, with six teams having reached the semi-finals for the first time in the league’s history, as noted by The Guardian.