The stage is set for a potential barnburner of a final in this season's Premiership Rugby showdown at Twickenham! Exeter Chiefs are bracing themselves for battle against top-of-the-table Northampton Saints, and by gum, they're not going down without a fight. Finishing third in the regular season might have written off their chances, but no team from that position has ever lifted the trophy – yet!
The maths may be stacked against them, but history shows us that these showpiece events are often decided by a single moment of magic or calamity. Six out of seven recent finals have been settled by six points or less, leaving favourites flailing under the pressure. Take Freddie Burns' drop-goal for Leicester in 2022 – it was a masterclass of composure under fire! Or how about Harlequins' incredible comeback against Exeter last year? Such moments show that even with meticulous planning, anything can unravel when it matters most.
Northampton will be acutely aware of the Chiefs' resilience, having faced them twice this season. Both encounters were thrill rides to the end, and there's a nagging suspicion that these two sides are evenly matched. Exeter's opening-day comeback from 33-7 down to snatch a draw still has fans buzzing, while their narrow defeat at Saints in April was a mere three points. These results scream that this is an Exeter side capable of pushing Northampton to the limit.
A major boost for the Chiefs comes with the news that England wing Manny Feyi-Waboso is fit to start after recovering from facial surgery just two weeks ago. His teammates can't wait, and captain Dafydd Jenkins has hailed him as a 'freak' talent – not just due to his speed but also his ability to thrive under pressure! Alongside Italian international Andrea Zambonin in the second row, Exeter's pack looks a force to be reckoned with. The influence of their back-row trio, featuring Tom Hooper, Greg Fisilau, and Ethan Roots, should keep Northampton on their toes.
Exeter's recent form reads like a who's who of Premiership heavyweights – Leicester, Saracens, and Bath all have fallen victim to the Chiefs' brand of high-intensity rugby. And it's not just about results: within this squad, there's an unshakeable sense that they can pull off an upset. Captain Dafydd Jenkins sums it up perfectly: "We shouldn't be getting on the bus if everyone doesn't believe we can do it." This is a team with its eyes fixed firmly on the prize, and Twickenham won't know what's hit it!