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

Northampton Saints player ratings: Northampton Saints maintained their lead at the top of the Gallagher PREM table by overcoming a 14-0 deficit to defeat Exeter Chiefs 35-28 at the death at Sandy Park on Saturday.

The Chiefs got off to a blistering start, but with a couple of British & Irish Lions prowling on the bench, Saints looked as though the win would be theirs, with Henry Pollock, unsurprisingly, scoring a try and producing some key moments.

The Chiefs had different ideas, with a try in the final minutes from a charge down, but Fin Smith had a counter punch at the death. Here’s how the players rated:

15 George Furbank – 7
Had a couple of sharp moments in attack, notably chasing the kick that led to Saints levelling the scores, but will not enjoy the footage of the late charge-down chaos where he was brushed aside by Paul Brown-Bampoe. Solid enough in open play.

14 George Hendy – 6
Linked neatly in the build-up to Saints’ first try, showing good awareness on the right edge. Quiet otherwise before being withdrawn after 50 minutes, with limited opportunities to influence the contest further.

13 Tom Litchfield – 8
One of Saints’ most dangerous attacking outlets. His line to carve through Exeter’s defence and put Alex Mitchell in was excellent, and his carrying (15 in total) kept the Chiefs on the back foot. A constant threat and player of the match.

12 Fraser Dingwall – 8
Classy and composed throughout. Took the ball to the line superbly to create Sleightholme’s try, then produced the assist for Henry Pollock with a perfectly timed pass. The one-handed offload to put Fin Smith in for the match-winner was top-drawer.

11 Ollie Sleightholme – 7
Big moments at both ends. Won a turnover penalty deep in Exeter territory and finished well in the corner before half-time to level things up. His late charge-down sparked chaos, although Exeter briefly capitalised.

10 Fin Smith – 9
Ice-cold when it mattered. Five from Five off the tee and orchestrated Saints’ comeback with maturity beyond his years. His vision to exploit space in behind for Furbank’s try was outstanding, and the late match-winning score—complete with a sharp sidestep—capped a superb display. Also put in a huge defensive shift with 20 tackles.

9 Alex Mitchell – 7
Marked his return with a try, showing his usual sniping threat around the fringes. Kept Exeter guessing with his tempo and distribution before being taken off after 55 minutes.

1 Emmanuel Iyogun – 5
Had the upper hand early in the scrum and won a penalty, but the picture changed after the break when he was pinged more than once. A mixed bag overall.

2 Craig Wright – 5
Struggled for accuracy. A loose throw near Exeter’s line and a knock-on in the 22 summed up a frustrating performance.

3 Cleopas Kundiona – 6
Got through his work quietly without dominating. Solid in contact but not particularly influential in the set-piece battle.

4 Ed Prowse – 7
Put in a heavy defensive shift with 15 tackles, but couldn’t fully impose himself physically. A workmanlike display.

5 Tom Lockett – 7
Busy and effective. Seventeen tackles and a strong presence in tight exchanges. Also contributed at the breakdown with a turnover.

6 Josh Kemeny – 7
A real carrier threat, making a couple of big line breaks that asked serious questions of Exeter’s defence. Had a try chalked off, but remained influential with ball in hand.

7 Sam Graham – 6
Got through a mountain of defensive work (17 tackles) and added some carrying value, but lacked the standout moment others around him produced.

8 Callum Chick – 7
Led all players with 19 carries and was a consistent source of momentum. His 50:22 was a key territorial win. Strong, direct and effective.

Replacements
16 Robbie Smith – 6
17 Tom West – 6
18 Elliot Millar-Mills – 7
19 JJ van der Mescht – 7
20 Henry Pollock – 8.5
21 Archie McParland – 6
22 James Pater – N/A
23 Tommy Freeman – 7.5