Bath player ratings vs Exeter Chiefs | Gallagher PREM 2025/26 semi-finals

Bath player ratings: Bath’s quest to defend their Gallagher PREM title came to a shuddering end on Saturday as Exeter Chiefs overturned a 26-10 half-time deficit to snatch a dramatic 27-26 victory at the Rec.

Johann van Graan’s side looked in complete control during a dominant first half, scoring four tries and repeatedly slicing through the Chiefs’ defence. But Exeter’s bench transformed the contest after the break, while Bath struggled to find answers as momentum swung decisively away from them.

Even a frantic 40-phase assault after the clock had gone red could not save the hosts, who were left wondering how a place at Twickenham slipped through their grasp.

15 Tom de Glanville – 5
A relatively quiet afternoon compared to some of Bath’s other backs, but remained composed under the high ball and offered support lines throughout. Made five carries and chipped in defensively as Bath looked dangerous whenever they attacked in the opening 40 minutes.

14 Joe Cokanasiga – 5
Made a powerful early break that immediately put Exeter on the back foot and finished excellently in the corner for Bath’s third try. Carried strongly throughout and made a line break, but his afternoon will be remembered for the controversial yellow card for an intentional knock-on just after the hour mark. A decision that will divide opinion given he only appeared to make contact with one hand.

13 Ollie Lawrence – 7
Bath’s most dangerous back. His carries repeatedly punched holes in the Exeter defence, with two line breaks and four defenders beaten. Produced the decisive break and pass to create Cokanasiga’s try and looked capable of making something happen every time he touched the ball. Won a turnover as well in a strong all-round display.

12 Max Ojomoh – 7
At the heart of Bath’s excellent first-half attacking display. His distribution and footwork caused Exeter problems throughout the opening period and his break helped create Thomas du Toit’s try. Faded after the interval as Bath lost control and finished with six missed tackles, but was one of the hosts’ best players before the break.

11 Henry Arundell – 6
Outstanding finish for Bath’s fourth try, somehow collecting and grounding Ben Spencer’s crossfield kick while being tackled and with virtually no room to work with. Made a line break and looked threatening whenever given space. His late knock-on from a tap-back summed up a second half where nothing quite clicked for Bath.

10 Santiago Carreras – 3
A difficult afternoon in Finn Russell’s absence. Dropped the ball twice and threw an interception during a shaky opening 10 minutes. Converted three of four attempts but struggled to impose himself on the game. Was beaten all ends up by Christ Tshiunza’s sidestep for Exeter’s first try, although he did recover brilliantly to bundle Henry Slade into touch after a loose pass. Could not find the answers as Exeter mounted their comeback and Bath’s failure to attempt a drop goal during the closing stages will raise serious questions.

9 Ben Spencer – 6
Delivered one of the moments of the match with a pinpoint crossfield kick for Arundell’s superb try. Also provided assists for Bath’s second and fourth scores. Controlled proceedings well during the first half but, like many of his teammates, appeared to run out of ideas once Exeter seized momentum.

1 Beno Obano – 8
Powered over for Bath’s opening try and was central to the scrum dominance that underpinned the hosts’ first-half performance. Won the set-piece battle early on and generated the platform for Arundell’s score. Unfortunately for Bath, his influence diminished dramatically after Exeter changed their front row.

2 Tom Dunn – 7
Busy as ever around the field, carrying seven times and making 11 tackles. Provided plenty of energy in the loose and played his part in Bath’s strong first-half set-piece display before Exeter’s replacements swung the contest.

3 Thomas du Toit – 8
Produced a huge scrum penalty with his first engagement and later demonstrated remarkable power to force his way over for Bath’s second try despite multiple Exeter defenders hanging off him. Did everything to extend his Bath career by another week with his 21st PREM try, but it wasn’t enough. Like Obano, however, his dominance disappeared once Exeter refreshed their front row.

4 Quinn Roux – 5
Made a useful line break in the first half and worked hard in the tight exchanges. Won a turnover and helped Bath establish territorial control during their dominant spell before being replaced early in the second half.

5 Charlie Ewels – 6
An industrious display from the lock. Made 11 tackles and carried effectively in tight exchanges. Could not stem the tide once Exeter started to build momentum after the interval.

6 Josh Bayliss – 7
One of Bath’s most effective forwards. Made 16 carries and beat five defenders, constantly generating front-foot ball. Produced an outstanding cover tackle to drag down Greg Fisilau when the Exeter No.8 looked certain to score, although the Chiefs eventually crossed a couple of phases later.

7 Sam Underhill – 6
Won a turnover and carried with his usual aggression. Defensively solid before making way shortly after the 50-minute mark. Bath missed some of his breakdown influence as the game slipped away.

8 Alfie Barbeary – 8
A hugely influential figure in Bath’s attacking game during the first half. Carried 21 times, beat an astonishing 13 defenders and seemed to feature in every promising attack. However, a costly high tackle gave Exeter the territory and momentum that led to their first try of the second half, and he was ultimately eclipsed by Fisilau after the break. A heroic final performance for Bath, even in defeat.

Replacements – 4
The Bath bench struggled to match Exeter’s impact. Kepu Tuipulotu conceded a costly penalty at the breakdown that handed the Chiefs field position from which they scored, while Francois van Wyk was penalised at his first scrum after being driven backwards. Vilikesa Sela produced some eye-catching carries and nearly became the hero when he was held up over the line at the death, but overall the replacements could not halt Exeter’s growing momentum. Ross Molony, Ted Hill, Bernard van der Linde, Cameron Redpath and Miles Reid all worked hard, but Bath’s bench was comprehensively outgunned by the visitors during the decisive final half-hour.