Premiership rugby final LIVE: Exeter vs Saracens result and reaction as Sarries beat Chiefs in thriller
Follow the latest from Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens at Twickenham Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Saracens completed a memorable European and domestic double after retaining the Premiership title by beating Exeter 37-34 at Twickenham.
The teams shared 10 tries during unquestionably the greatest Premiership final in its 16-year history. Exeter led after just 28 seconds when scrum-half Nic White claimed the quickest Premiership final touchdown, but Saracens ultimately prevailed with Jamie George's second score ultimately proving the difference.
Here's how it played out.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load
58 mins: What a try! A sublime move from Exeter brings the first points of the second half and it's been worth the wait. After another good bit of play from Nowell, Slade slides across field and passes a flat ball to Skinner. He beats Maitland and commits last-man Goode, and as Rhodes commits to the tackle, Henry Slade is on the shoulder to collect the offload and score in the right corner. Simmonds misses the conversion. 27-16
61 mins: What a response! Farrell goes with the short restart and Saracens win back the ball. Just two phases later, Wigglesworth finds Farrell and the England skipper spots Liam Williams in space, puts up a contestable cross-field kick and it's supremely plucked out of the sky by the Wales wing to score in the corner. Farrell converts from the touchline and it's a four-point game! 27-23
66 mins: Saracens see a nice move down the right end in touch, and that cues White's departure as Jack Maunder comes on at nine. Saracens also make a change with Richard Barrington replaced by Adams-Hale.
68 mins: Blimey, this match! WIgglesworth, the Saracens old-stager, sprints away after selling the dummy and has replacement prop Ralph Adams-Hale on his shoulder, who shifted the ball out to George. With men over Saracens flooded left and Sean Maitland dived over in the corner. Farrell gets the conversion and Saracens LEAD 27-30.
70 mins: Oh no. No, no, no. Jack Nowell is tackled by Maitland and is folded completely over his left leg. The match is immediately stopped and Nowell is in a lot of pain here, and with the World Cup around the corner this is not good. The full-back gets treatment and, incredibly, gets back to his feet to walk off, but he's limping heavily as Gareth Steenson replaces him and that's not what any of us wanted to see. Nearly the entire Saracens team give him a pat or shake his hand as he leaves, and that really is gut-wrenching to see. Let's hope for the best.
74 mins: A big change from Saracens! McCall sends Christian Judge on for Koch, and immediately he wins a penalty off Hepburn in the scrum that Farrell will kick for goal and a six-point lead.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments