PREM rivals bound George Furbank emotional in final Northampton game

George Furbank signalled the start of Northampton’s Gallagher Prem title celebrations after Exeter were edged 26-17 in a tense Allianz Stadium final.

Saints wasted a host of chances against a Chiefs side who defended ferociously but their class eventually shone through, with George Hendy’s try double in the final quarter proving the difference.

It was Furbank’s last appearance for the club before joining Harlequins next season and the England full-back admitted to conflicting emotions at the final whistle.

Northampton captain Furbank said: “It was a mix of relief, happiness, sadness – all just merged into one. It was a different feeling to the last time we won it in 2024.

“We’re going to have a good few days now to celebrate and I’m sure it’ll all sink in.

“It’s been a pretty emotional few weeks. I’ve got a bit of learning to do because I felt pretty drained coming into this game because of the emotion.

“I tried to stay away from it as much as possible but it’s tough when it’s your last game for a club that means so much to you. It’s been one hell of a journey.”

Hendy ran in two tries in three minutes at a point when Northampton were trailing 17-14 and Furbank praised the 23-year-old wing.

He said: “George is a pretty special player. He’s one of those guys who can pull things out of a hat.

“He scores tries that nobody else in the league, potentially the world, scores. He’s someone you want on your team, someone you look to run off.”

Swashbuckling Northampton topped the Prem at the end of the regular league campaign after scoring a record 104 tries and are worthy 2026 champions.

Director of rugby Phil Dowson said: “We were outstanding throughout the season.

“It’s nice now to be able to put a full stop on it with a big tin cup and say we were the best side in the league.

“That was a proper final, where it was nip and tuck and there were opportunities. We got held up, they got held up.

“We maybe weren’t as clinical as we would have liked to have been and that can certainly change the pressure. But at 60 minutes to go we felt in a good space.”

Exeter’s appearance in the final completed a remarkable transformation after they finished last season’s Prem in ninth place.

The physicality of their defence kept them in the fight against Northampton and director of rugby Rob Baxter was proud in defeat.

Baxter said: “The reality is that Northampton have had a great season.

“I’m not going to be too critical about us. Our line-out wasn’t at the level it needed to be, we’ve missed a few tackles in the middle of the field that gave them some momentum but what more can I ask after the season we’ve had?”