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

Exeter Chiefs player ratings: Exeter Chiefs will meet Northampton Saints in the Gallagher PREM final next week after overturning a 26-10 half-time deficit to defeat reigning champions Bath at the Rec on Saturday.

After trailing 26-10 at the break, Exeter produced one of the great PREM semi-final fightbacks. Harvey Skinner controlled proceedings superbly, Greg Fisilau grew into the contest and the bench transformed the game as Rob Baxter’s side scored 17 unanswered second-half points.

Bath threw everything at the Chiefs in a frantic finale, battering away through more than 40 phases after the clock had gone red, but Exeter somehow held firm to book a place at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. Here’s how the players rated:

15 Olly Woodburn – 8
Not the flashiest performance, but an important one. Beat six defenders, the most of any Chiefs player, and produced a lovely offload in contact that allowed Henry Slade to break and send Ben Hammersley over early in the second half. Was dependable under pressure during the closing stages.

14 Paul Brown-Bampoe – 7
A constant threat whenever Exeter found space. Made three line breaks and twice burst through to create opportunities either side of Christ Tshiunza’s stunning try. Won an excellent turnover penalty after tracking back following a Bath break. Might feel he should have done better when bundled into touch near the corner after 20 minutes.

13 Henry Slade – 7
A mixed afternoon. His yellow card after 10 minutes helped Bath seize early momentum and his goalkicking was unreliable, landing just one of three conversions. However, he remained hugely influential in attack, had an early assist ruled out by a forward pass and then sliced through Bath’s defence to put Hammersley over shortly after half-time.

12 Len Ikitau – 8
A typically abrasive display from the Wallaby. Carried hard throughout, repeatedly won metres after contact and improved as the match progressed. His direct running helped Exeter get over the gainline during their second-half revival.

11 Campbell Ridl – 6
Started brightly with an interception in his own 22 that prevented an early Bath score. Also made a line break, but endured a difficult spell defensively, failing to complete a tackle on Ollie Lawrence before Bath’s third try. Dropped a high ball and was forced off injured after half an hour.

10 Harvey Skinner – 9
Man of the match. Calm, composed and increasingly influential as Exeter clawed their way back into the contest. Kicked both first-half shots at goal and glided through the Bath line to create the try that brought the Chiefs back within striking distance. His breakdown penalty in the final 10 minutes was enormous, while his game management was outstanding throughout the second half.

9 Stephen Varney – 7
Kept Exeter moving despite Bath’s dominance in the first half. Distribution was crisp and he stuck to his task well as momentum gradually swung in the visitors’ favour.

1 Scott Sio – 5
Struggled in the scrum against Thomas du Toit and was unable to establish any platform before injury forced him off shortly after the break.

2 Max Norey – 7
Only had two lineouts to hit, but did so successfully. Defensively busy with 14 tackles before making way as part of the wholesale front-row change early in the second half.

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott – 5
Bath targeted him at scrum time and found success. Was marched backwards in his own 22 and Exeter looked much stronger after the replacements arrived.

4 Dafydd Jenkins – 7
Worked tirelessly through the tight exchanges. Registered 11 tackles, won a turnover and beat a couple of defenders with ball in hand. Not flawless, but an important contributor in the engine room.

5 Andrea Zambonin – 8
Produced one of the biggest moments of the game with a crucial interception in his own 22 when Bath were threatening to respond. Added 11 tackles and plenty of unseen work around the field.

6 Tom Hooper – 8.5
An immense defensive effort. Had already made 18 tackles by half-time and finished with a match-high 26. His line speed and physicality caused Bath continual problems and he also won a turnover.

7 Christ Tshiunza – 9
The turning point of the match. Exeter desperately needed inspiration and Tshiunza delivered it with a sensational individual try, stepping clear from 40 metres out before racing away. Added 15 tackles and plenty of carrying before departing just after the hour.

8 Greg Fisilau – 9
Outstanding after the break. Carried 15 times, made 28 tackles and constantly threatened Bath’s defensive line. Was denied initially by Josh Bayliss after supporting Skinner’s break, but eventually powered over. Every second-half carry seemed to generate momentum.

Replacements – 9.5
The Exeter bench won this match. Joseph Dweba brought immediate stability to the lineout and helped improve the scrum. Ethan Burger made a huge impact, carrying relentlessly before darting over for the decisive try. Bachuki Tchumbadze was outstanding, winning a scrum penalty shortly after arriving and completely reversing the set-piece battle. Ross Vintcent added real dynamism, twice breaking through the Bath defence and helping shift momentum decisively in Exeter’s favour. Ben Hammersley also deserves huge credit after replacing the injured Ridl and taking his try brilliantly. It was a bench performance that completely transformed the contest and ultimately booked Exeter’s place at Twickenham.