Exeter Chiefs player ratings vs Northampton Saints | 2025/26 Gallagher PREM

Exeter Chiefs player ratings:  Exeter Chiefs let a 14-0 lead slip against Northampton Saints at Sandy Park on Saturday in the Gallager PREM, losing 35-28 at the death.

In what was a nail-biting encounter throughout, it was the visitors who delivered the final blow. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t plenty of standout performances from the Chiefs. Here’s how the players rated:

15 Olly Woodburn – 7
Could not have made a more electric start. His line break inside the opening seconds carved Saints open and directly led to the fastest try of Exeter’s season. Looked sharp again with two line breaks and nine carries, constantly probing for space. His afternoon was cut short by a hamstring injury after a smart interception in his own 22, which felt like a turning point in momentum.

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 5
Alert to take his try early on and looked dangerous with ball in hand, but his afternoon was a mixed one. The yellow card for a deliberate knock-on was a momentum-shifter, and he was beaten too easily by Fin Smith’s step for the decisive score. Seven carries and eight tackles showed involvement, but key moments went against him.

13 Henry Slade – 7
Flawless from the tee with four from four and composed in general play. His distribution and calmness kept Exeter ticking, while defensively he contributed 11 tackles and even snagged a turnover. A dependable presence in a game that needed more of them.

12 Will Rigg – 7.5
A powerful performance in midfield. His try—crashing over with authority—rewarded a strong carrying display (nine carries, seven tackles). Consistently got Exeter over the gainline and added physicality to their attack.

11 Campbell Ridl – 7
A game of big swings. Produced a superb early try-saving tackle on Ollie Sleightholme and later finished well in the corner to restore Exeter’s lead. Also won a crucial breakdown penalty deep in his own half. However, his late yellow card for killing the ball proved hugely costly, leaving Chiefs down to 13 at a critical stage.

10 Harvey Skinner – 7
Pulled the strings nicely in attack. His perfectly timed pass sent Woodburn through for the opener, and he later put Will Haydon-Wood into space for Ridl’s try. Defensively busy with 13 tackles, though four missed tackles will frustrate.

9 Stephen Varney – 6
Kept things moving without overly influencing proceedings. Only one carry but made five tackles and distributed efficiently enough. Lacked the spark of his opposite number.

1 Scott Sio – 7
Strong defensive effort and showed his breakdown nous with a turnover penalty. Six tackles and a steady presence in the loose.

2 Jack Yeandle – 6
His game ended prematurely after 25 minutes, being carried off in clear discomfort. Prior to that, he had been solid if unspectacular.

3 Jimmy Roots – 4
A tough afternoon. Conceded a scrum penalty and struggled to impose himself, eventually being replaced at half-time. Discipline issues (three penalties conceded) at the scrum hurt the Chiefs.

4 Dafydd Jenkins – 6
Worked hard defensively with 12 tackles but will rue a costly spilled lineout five metres from the Saints line. A moment that halted a prime attacking opportunity.

5 Andrea Zambonin – 6
A workmanlike display in the engine room. Sixteen tackles highlighted his defensive commitment, though he offered limited impact elsewhere.

6 Tom Hooper – 7
A busy and effective shift. His penalty win around the hour mark came at a crucial time after a Saints break. Eleven carries and nine tackles underline his all-action performance.

7 Ross Vintcent – 6
Eight carries and nine tackles showed his work rate, but he lacked a defining moment. Solid without being standout.

8 Greg Fisilau – 8.5
Set the tone early with a half-break from a contestable and never let up. His assist for Rigg’s try, intercept in his own half, and multiple turnovers—including one metres from his own line—were all pivotal. Added 14 carries and 19 tackles in a colossal all-round display. Exeter’s best player by a distance, although his influence did diminish.

Replacements
16 Joseph Dweba – 6
17 Ethan Burger – 6
18 Bachuki Tchumbadze – 8
19 Rusi Tuima – 6
20 Ethan Roots – 6
21 Tom Cairns – N/A
22 Will Haydon-Wood – 7.5
23 Paul Brown-Bampoe – 8