Northampton Saints lift PREM title with 26-17 win over Exeter Chiefs

Northampton Saints 26-17 Exeter Chiefs, Allianz Stadium

Northampton Saints were crowned champions of English club rugby after beating Exeter Chiefs 26-17 in the Gallagher PREM Final at a hot Allianz Stadium.

Phil Dowson’s side completed a strong 2025/26 campaign in style, having led the league for much of the season before overcoming Leicester Tigers in their home play-off. The victory also means the Gallagher PREM trophy returns to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for the second time in three seasons.

Freeman Gives Saints Fast Start

Northampton made a flying start and were ahead inside two minutes. Archie McParland chipped in behind the Exeter defence, and when two Chiefs players failed to deal with the bouncing ball, Tommy Freeman reacted quickest to ground it for the opening try.

Saints almost struck again after Tom Pearson won a breakdown penalty and Fin Smith kicked to the corner. From the lineout, Henry Pollock drove towards the line, but Exeter held him up.

That missed chance proved costly. Northampton kept a cross-field kick in play, but Exeter pounced and Campbell Ridl finished the move. McParland was injured while trying to stop the try, forcing Alex Mitchell into early action.

Smith Restores Northampton Lead

Northampton then shifted momentum through Alex Coles, whose powerful run carried Saints into Exeter territory. After Immanuel Feyi-Waboso spilled an interception attempt, Saints worked through the phases. Curtis Langdon went close before Smith stretched over to score and converted his own try.

Exeter responded before half-time. After a long defensive set from Northampton, Chiefs kicked a penalty to touch and Josh Iosefa-Scott forced his way over. Slade missed the conversion, leaving Saints 14-10 ahead at the break.

Hendy Double Settles Final

The second half stayed tense. Northampton attacked early, but Rory Hutchinson spilled close to the line before another effort was ruled out for a knock-on in the build-up.

Saints were then reduced to 14 men when Josh Kemeny was yellow-carded for a collision with Dafydd Jenkins. Exeter immediately took advantage, with Jenkins scoring from close range after Slade had kicked deep into Northampton territory. Slade converted to put Chiefs 17-14 ahead.

Jenkins was later shown a yellow card for a high tackle on George Furbank, and Northampton made their man advantage count. After Freeman burst through midfield and kept the play alive, Pollock and Callum Chick carried strongly before Mitchell sent George Hendy over to regain the lead.

Hendy then struck again when Smith produced a clever grubber behind the defence. The winger stretched to apply downward pressure, and Smith added a superb touchline conversion to open a nine-point lead.

Exeter pushed late, but Northampton’s defence and breakdown work held firm. The final whistle confirmed Saints as Gallagher PREM champions once again.

Team line up:

Northampton: Furbank (c); Freeman, Litchfield, Hutchinson, Hendy; Smith, McParland; Iyogun, Langdon, Millar Mills; Coles, Prowse, Kemeny, Pearson, Pollock.

Reserves: Wright, Fischetti, Green, Van der Mescht, Lockett, Chick, Mitchell, Dingwall.

Exeter: Woodburn; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Ikitau, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Norey, Iosefa-Scott; Jenkins (c), Zambonin, Hooper, Roots, Fisilau.

Reserves: Dweba, Burger, Tchumbadze, Tshiunza, Vintcent, James, Cairns, Haydon-Wood.