Exeter Chiefs edge Wasps to claim Premiership title and complete the double

Gavin Mairs
·28-min read
Joe Simmonds and Jack Yeandle of Exeter Chiefs lift the Gallagher Premiership trophy - GETTY IMAGES
Joe Simmonds and Jack Yeandle of Exeter Chiefs lift the Gallagher Premiership trophy - GETTY IMAGES

Tony Rowe, the Exeter Chiefs chairman, had brought the European Cup with him on the 160-mile journey to Twickenham and now he will be able to make the return journey with the Premiership trophy also in his grasp.

It will no doubt be an emotional journey. It is only 10 years since Rowe saw his club gain promotion to the top flight of English rugby and on Saturday, despite the atrocious conditions at an empty stadium, the Chiefs cemented their status as a champion club.

This victory over Wasps may not have matched the emotional high of the Champions Cup final victory over Racing 92 in Bristol last weekend, but it mattered little as Exeter became only the fourth English club to become champions of both the Premiership and Europe.

The conditions made it all but impossible for either side to put their best foot forward but ultimately it was Exeter who had the edge up front, with a last-minute penalty by captain Joe Simmonds – his 33rd successful kick in a row - putting an end to Wasps’ hopes of winning a first title since 2008.

Instead it is Exeter who have secured their place in English rugby’s folklore, joining Wasps, Saracens and Leicester as the only side to complete the double.

Wasps, who had been cruelly depleted by their Covid-19 outbreak last week, still managed a herculean display and pushed the European champions to the brink, with Jack Willis once again leading their charge.

Each side scored a try apiece, with Henry Slade’s effort cancelled out by a brilliant finish by Wasps fly-half Jacob Umaga, but four penalties by Simmonds to two by Jimmy Gopperth proved decisive.

“Now we can have a couple of days of trying to let it sink in and making it feel real,” said Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby.

“Now we can look back on the week and I think it is important the lads decompress and relish what they achieved.

“It wasn't easy out there and we had to dig very deep against Wasps - they made it a final worth winning.

“You achieve any goal by slowly getting better and we probably got here quicker than we could have ever imagined.

“If feels good and there is a little bit of relief as well. Last week played a huge part in that but now we have both trophies in the changing room and we can celebrate both now and stop, pause and look back over a very good season and spend some time how important these prizes are to the club.”

Exeter players celebrate at the full-time whistle - GETTY IMAGES
Exeter players celebrate at the full-time whistle - GETTY IMAGES

The defining moment of the contest came in the 76th minute when Wasps turned down the chance to level the scores with a tricky attempt at goal, preferring to kick a penalty to the corner only to see Exeter lock Jonny Gray pinch they line-out.

The line-out had been the weakness in Wasps game side all night, with a total of five concessions, but this was the most damaging of all.

“I will never question that decision,” insisted Lee Blackett. “Little parts of our game weren’t at their best and the line-out wasn't at the best.

“Every time we got a foothold we came up with mistakes. We are disappointed, but we should be proud of where we have come, but we didn't come here for second today.”

There is no better side than Exeter at both winding down the clock and squeezing the life out of their opponents and with Wasps forced to concede several penalties as they were forced onto the back foot, Slade turned the screw by kicking it to the corner again, enabling his pack to eat up the final moments. Inevitably another penalty ensued and Simmonds bisected the posts to secure a historic victory.

Blackett, who has been unearthed as one of the most highly-rated young coaches in the Premiership after guiding his side from 10th place to the final since taking over in February, had the grace to accept that Exeter had deserved their victory and he was right.

That is not to say Wasps did not stand up and fight, despite the fact they had been lost some of their most experienced and formidable forwards because of their Covid-19 outbreak last week, including Brad Shields, Kieran Brookes and Simon McIntyre while former All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa was also out with a groin injury.

As it was, there was little between the two sides in either half, with the contest instead resembling a game of wet-weather chess.

Gopperth opened the scoring with a penalty but Exeter struck back from a line-out maul, with a quick switch to the right-hand touchline creating the opening for Henry Slade to use his acceleration to round Tom Willis and the Wasps front-five forwards for his side’s opening try.

Exeter could not build on this momentum however and Wasps struck back to regain the lead with a brilliant try by Umaga taking a short ball from the base of a ruck and with Exeter’s defence concentrating on the presence of 14, the 22 year-old skipped free and finished with a flourish to restore the lead for Wasps.

As the conditions deteriorated however, Baxter’s side turned the screw, dominating possession and territory and winning a succession of penalties, with Simmonds nudging his side back in front with two more penalties before half time.

Yet it was Blackett’s side's defensive nous however that kept them in the game. Exeter have proved themselves to be the most ruthless side in Europe from five metres but after the European champions had kicked a penalty to the corner, it was Jack Willis who was able to win a crucial penalty as the Exeter pack rumbled towards the line.

And it was a line-out steal by James Gaskell from an Exeter throw that paved the way for Wasps to level the scores. Exeter won a penalty for offside but the kick by Slade to touch was kept in play brilliantly by Lima Sopoaga, who had replaced Matteo Minozzi at full-back, and his perfectly-executed kick in the Exeter 22 culminated in a penalty as the Wasps forward poured over Ollie Devoto. Gopperth made no mistake to level the scores as the game went into the final quarter.

Exeter though had enough in the tank to drive onto victory with two more penalties by Simmonds. It may not have been night to remember, but the achievement will live long in the memory.

 

 

07:02 PM

Time for the trophy

Feel for Wasps, who collect their runners-up medals from a box themselves which is absolutely soaked. Up come the Chiefs. Up come Steenson and Whitten together, the two Irish battlers for the club. Finally it's J Simmonds and Yeandle - they will lift the trophy, the captain and club captain. Exeter, Premiership and European champions a decade on from promotion. Outstanding.

06:59 PM

Wasps' Jimmy Gopperth

Obviously emotions are really high. It's pretty devastating to come so close again. Horrendous conditions and I thought we played them pretty well. Our number one word this year has been 'adaptable' - through lockdown, Covid. Our whole squad has been really tight this year.

06:58 PM

Steenson in tears

His final game - he didn't actually get on - as an Exeter player after kicking them into the Championship 10 years ago. He's left some legacy.

06:55 PM

The Premiership final player of the match, Henry Slade

It feels so good. We've had a bit of heartache in finals. They've been tight games but for it go as well as they have, to do with these boys, is unreal. 

06:53 PM

Double winners

06:52 PM

A word on Wasps

What they have done this season has been extraordinary. They were 10th. They lost four of their five games. It will hurt, but they have had an immense season, an astonishing season under Lee Blackett - and the future is so bright too.

Wasps' Joe Launchbury appears dejected after the final - PA

06:50 PM

FULL-TIME: Exeter 19-13 Wasps - EXETER ARE CHAMPIONS AND HAVE DONE THE DOUBLE

No mistake from J Simmonds, the Exeter skipper, and after defeats in the past two Premiership finals, Exeter are champions of England once again!

 Henry Slade of Exeter Chiefs celebrates with teammates Jack Maunder and Jack Nowell - GETTY IMAGES

06:48 PM

79 mins - Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Exeter's travelling players chanting the Tomahawk Chop in the stands. Another maul won by Skinner, Wasps shove it back. There's a minute to go. S Simmonds it looks like breaking away. Wasps pinged at the breakdown! Not rolling away. J Simmonds will take his time over the kick. The Chiefs are doing the double!

06:46 PM

78 mins - Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Another maul, another penalty for Exeter - it's essentially their dream scenario. The clock ticking away - Wasps need a miracle.

06:46 PM

77 mins - Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Exeter's best maul of the game comes at the perfect time - Wasps collapse and give up another penalty. Chiefs will go back to touch and maul again, chewing up the clock.

06:44 PM

76 mins - Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Gray poaches the lineout and Exeter win a penalty! Monumental. Wasps had the position and Gray in the middle leaps highest.

06:42 PM

73 mins - Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Wasps win the lineout at the front. They maul. Rowlands in the middle. The backs are in there now, Oghre at the back. THIS MAUL IS MOVING. IT'S MOVING. One metre short, Yeandle coming through... Wasps penalty, Exeter pinged for collapsing. Do you kick this or go back to the corner with the maul working? It's the corner...

06:40 PM

73 mins - Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Decent clearance from Umaga, returned by Hogg. Wasps attacking from 40 metres out. Penalty Wasps! Yeandle for going off his feet. Exeter's eighth penalty of the game, Wasps have conceded 11.

Umaga comes up with a dream of a touchfinder! Eight or so metres out - one Slade would be proud of. Huge, huge chance for Wasps. Michael le Bourgeois on for De Jongh.

Juan de Jongh for Wasps - GETTY IMAGES

06:37 PM

71 mins - Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Yeandle hits Skinner. Wasps counter-drive well, really well actually, and Exeter will have to do this the hard way. Kirsten carries, Moon too... knocked on! Wasps hang in there.

06:36 PM

70 mins - Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Exeter penalty! Wasps collapse the maul. Slade will put this into the corner with that left foot. Exeter are five metres out. Is this the moment...

06:35 PM

68 mins - Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Exeter with a scrum by the touchline after a Wasps knock-on. Alo working so hard to counter-ruck. Bassett with a good take of a very good kick which lands just outside Wasps' 22. Cleared by Robson near to halfway.

06:33 PM

PENALTY J SIMMONDS! Exeter 16-13 Wasps

Will that be the winning kick? J Simmonds kicks his 32nd penalty in a row (!) and the Devon side are ahead. Alo replaces Toomaga-Allen for Wasps.

Joe Simmonds of Exeter Chiefs kicks a penalty  - GETTY IMAGES

06:32 PM

66 mins - Exeter 13-13 Wasps

Exeter get the maul going for one of the first times today before attacking, but then Willis is pinged at the breakdown for hands in the ruck. Penalty for the Chiefs.

06:29 PM

63 mins - Exeter 13-13 Wasps

Wonky lineout from Wasps, meaning an Exeter scrum. And they get a scrum penalty! Wasps replacement Harris almost laughing at the call as he retreats. Young getting some treatment as Exeter prepare to find some territory.

06:27 PM

60 mins - Exeter 13-13 Wasps

Wasps win the restart, clear, but Exeter were offside so we'll come back for a Wasps penalty. They find touch, Robson box kicks, taken by Nowell in his 22 who calls the mark and then kicks to touch. Exeter have swapped their whole front row - Moon, Yeandle and Francis now on. As is Hidalgo-Clyne at scrum-half.

06:24 PM

PENALTY GOPPERTH! Exeter 13-13 Wasps

It's over! We're level again with almost a quarter left in the final. 

06:23 PM

57 mins - Exeter 13-10 Wasps

Gaskell having some impact, steals an Exeter lineout on halfway and Wasps attack. Lost now by Umaga and Exeter then get a penalty for offside. They will look for territory. Kicked to touch and Sopoaga fields it brilliantly jumping from off the pitch to do so. Wasps kick themselves, surge upfield and win a penalty in Exeter's 22! Huge shift in momentum. Gopperth can tie this up.

06:20 PM

55 mins - Exeter 13-10 Wasps

Another turnover by Wasps! Exeter's maul thwarted once more. Oghre, the replacement hooker, doing great work along with Gaskell to stop it. Wasps get the scrum backed up near their own line. Gray's just come on for Hill, while Sopoaga, who was practicing drop goals at half-time, is going to come on at full-back. Wasps with three players who can play 10 on the park now. Perfect for goalkicking.

06:18 PM

53 mins - Exeter 13-10 Wasps

Free kick for Exeter, scrum, and then big cheers after Exeter win a penalty. Put into the Wasps' 22 by J Simmonds.

06:15 PM

51 mins - Exeter 13-10 Wasps

Wasps scrum and they get a free kick after Exeter engage early. Robson down the short side but both sides knock on - Exeter's scrum. There have been a few of those.

Weather update - it's broken the spidercam. No longer operating.

06:13 PM

49 mins - Exeter 13-10 Wasps

The clearance from Wasps didn't find touch, allowing Hogg to run it back and so Wasps are back under pressure until they secure another turnover and Robson clears. Not out of this yet. Hindsight, I know, but should Exeter have kicked that penalty a few minutes ago? It's three-pointer weather.

06:09 PM

47 mins - Exeter 13-10 Wasps

Exeter win the lineout and set up the maul. Wasps push it back at first - Gaskell has just come on for them - but here come the Chiefs, they're up to the line... turnover penalty from Jack Willis! He's as advertised. Turnover on his own line, superb.

06:07 PM

45 mins - Exeter 13-10 Wasps

Lineout for Exeter in Wasps' half and they maul, stopped around 35 metres out. High kick from Exeter but Minozzi does well, calls a mark before passing to Robson who finds touch.

Penalty against Young and Exeter can kick for the posts here silly me, it's gone to the corner.

06:04 PM

42 mins - Exeter 13-10 Wasps

The ball's an absolute nightmare, and the surface is so slippy you can probably slide in from the 22-metre line. Hogg does well under the high ball - he's used to these conditions mind - as Exeter go through some phases before clearing with a box kick. Won back by Exeter, Nowell ahead of Umaga, but then Maunder's charged down, Robson hacks on but the ball is touch down by J Simmonds. Exeter with the drop out.

06:02 PM

Right, time for the second half

Delicately poised, this one. Both sides have a shot going into the second half. Long restart and Wasps win a penalty immediately.

05:48 PM

PENALTY J SIMMONDS! Exeter 13-10 Wasps - HALF-TIME

The Exeter skipper sends his side into the break ahead - you could see the wind curling it away to the left but over it goes.

Quite an enjoyable half all things considered, with the weather causing chaos to both sides' ball-handling. Slade and Umaga took their tries well but there's very little in this, Wasps not letting Exeter dominate upfront, yet. Second half on the way.

Joe Simmonds of Exeter Chiefs is tackled by Tommy Taylor of Wasps during the Gallagher Premiership final - GETTY IMAGES

05:46 PM

40 mins - Exeter 10-10 Wasps

One last chance for Exeter perhaps after winning a penalty and kicking to touch in Wasps' half. They're around 15 metres out. Penalty Exeter! Points or the corner? Points surely for the Chiefs and J Simmonds points to the posts. It's so wet that even Exeter don't trust their maul.

05:43 PM

38 mins - Exeter 10-10 Wasps

Another knock-on with that slippery pill, Hogg this time. Wasps with a scrum just inside the Exeter half. 

05:40 PM

PENALTY J SIMMONDS! Exeter 10-10 Wasps

Easy shot and the Exeter captain sinks in. Final starting to heat up a bit despite the biblical rain.

05:39 PM

34 mins - Exeter 7-10 Wasps

Minozzi knocks on from the restart and now Exeter are on the charge after a scrum. It's absolutely hammering it down now at Twickenham as the Exeter forwards pick and go. Exeter with a penalty, 10 metres out. They'll take a shot.

05:35 PM

TRY UMAGA! Exeter 7-10 Wasps

What can Wasps conjure up here. Minozzi beats a man and now Umaga carves through! Phwoar that was good. Wasps are ahead again! Gopperth converts.

Robson sucked in a defender with a couple of steps away from the ruck and made the hole for his half-back partner, who hitch-kicks out of the tackle to score by the posts.

05:33 PM

30 mins - Exeter 7-3 Wasps

Maxwell-Keys not happy with Cowan-Dickie's positioning before the scrum, too far forward. Free-kick Wasps but it's too high and too easy - Exeter call a mark and drill it into touch out of their half.

05:31 PM

28 mins - Exeter 7-3 Wasps

Nice carry by De Jongh, replacing Fekitoa today, as he gets to halfway. Williams close to a turnover but Wasps survive, until Launchbury knocks on trying to take a low pass. Breakdown a bit messy. Exeter scrum.

05:30 PM

26 mins - Exeter 7-3 Wasps

Penalty to Wasps this time! Against Hepburn at the scrum for angling in. That's interesting. Wasps clear into Exeter's half and win the lineout. Box kick from Robson, ball was touched so everyone's onside but Wasps are then pinged at the breakdown. Exeter can clear.

05:27 PM

24 mins - Exeter 7-3 Wasps

Scrum penalty won by Exeter - that was always the fear with Wasps missing a couple of front-rowers due to Covid-19. Exeter maul, then break with Hepburn, before coughing up the ball. Wasps with the scrum in their 22.

05:25 PM

21 mins - Exeter 7-3 Wasps

Knocked on by Exeter at the restart, the wind causing issues. Gives Wasps an attacking scrum and they try a backs move, but the ball goes to ground. Exeter's scrum.

05:21 PM

TRY SLADE! Exeter 7-3 Wasps

Wasps defending the maul well so far, stopping another Exeter set-piece. Now Exeter go wide and Slade slices through! Individual brilliance from the England centre. Ghosted through a gap and raced past T Willis before stepping inside and riding the tackle to finish.

J Simmonds from out wide sinks the conversion. The European champions are ahead.

05:19 PM

17 mins - Exeter 0-3 Wasps

One reset, and then Wasps just about get the ball into touch through Umaga. Exeter with an attacking lineout. Smart play from Maunder putting Wasps off at the back of that scrum before T Willis broke.

05:17 PM

14 mins - Exeter 0-3 Wasps

Not ideal for Wasps, giving up a penalty off the restart which Exeter kick to the corner. You know what normally happens here.

Skinner juggles the ball so the lineout isn't as smooth, and then Launchbury gets into the maul to turn the ball over! Brilliant from the England lock. That's a bit of a statement from Wasps.

05:16 PM

PENALTY GOPPERTH! Exeter 0-3 Wasps

And Gopperth, as expected, delivers. First blood to the side from Coventry.

Jack Maunder of Exeter Chiefs box kicks - GETTY IMAGES

05:14 PM

12 mins - Exeter 0-0 Wasps

Wasps doing an Exeter, more or less, with some tight pick-and-go carries before winning a breakdown penalty, Skinner not rolling away. An early chance for Gopperth, the 37 year-old in excellent kicking form.

05:11 PM

10 mins - Exeter 0-0 Wasps

Great lineout position for Wasps but Exeter steal it, Hill getting in there, Hepburn mopping up and Maunder clears high. Wasps on the ball 40 metres out but possession's lost and Exeter will have a scrum. Scrum on the move but Exeter clear and J Simmonds' kick to touch... is out on the full. Wasps lineout in Exeter's half. 

05:09 PM

8 mins - Exeter 0-0 Wasps

Maunder with another box kick, taken well by Kibirige. Neither side are looking to play with a lot of ball given how slippery it's been so far, Exeter have had a couple of uncharacteristic slip-ups.

Maunder box kicks and Umaga is taken out in the air by Nowell, mis-timed that completely. Only a penalty. Wasps find touch inside Exeter's 22, what a thump by Umaga.

05:07 PM

6 mins - Exeter 0-0 Wasps

Powerful run by Kirsten, but turned over though by Exeter and Wasps clear through Gopperth. Super kick, skidding off the wet turf into touch by Exeter's 10-metre line.

05:06 PM

4 mins - Exeter 0-0 Wasps

Maunder clears with a box kick, bouncing ball won by Kirsten. J Simmonds chips across to Woodburn but it bounces into touch.

05:05 PM

2 mins - Exeter 0-0 Wasps

Early contact lens change for Wasps loosehead West - never ideal two minutes in. And Maunder is changing his boots. Proper maintenance early doors.

Exeter with a lineout in Wasps' half, bit messy, tapped back Exeter's way. Ball knocked loose in the tackle on Cowan-Dickie and Robson kicks upfield.

05:01 PM

Kick-off!

And we're underway. Craig Maxwell-Keys on the whistle after Wayne Barnes pulled out due to testing positive for Covid-19. All the players take a knee before kick-off.

Umaga, the young Wasps 10, kicks short and Williams wins possession for Exeter.

04:59 PM

Empty Twickenham

My goodness it looks weird. Exeter's subs form a tunnel for the starting XV as they come out second. Wasps in yellow and Exeter in black - meaning no annoying kit clash like the one we had in the Champions Cup final.

We'll take a moment's silence to remember those who have lost their lives to Covid-19.

04:57 PM

Prediction

Given the weather, momentum and their depth upfront, I'll lean towards Exeter. But Wasps really are capable of a bit of magic. Exeter to do the double and win by 8-10.

04:49 PM

Starting to rain at Twickenham

That will make things tricky for both teams and definitely suits Exeter.

The heavens open at Twickenham - GETTY IMAGEs

04:45 PM

The Exeter captain, on the verge of leading the club to a double

And he's just 23, having captained the team for the first time in January this year. Extraordinary. Meet Joe Simmonds.

04:43 PM

Teams confirmed

Exeter Chiefs: Stuart Hogg; Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Ollie Devoto, Olly Woodburn; Joe Simmonds (capt), Jack Maunder; Alec Hepburn, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Harry Williams, Sam Skinner, Jonny Hill, Dave Ewers, Jannes Kirsten, Sam Simmonds

Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Ian Whitten

Wasps: Matteo Minozzi, Zach Kibirige, Juan de Jongh, Jimmy Gopperth, Josh Bassett; Jacob Umaga, Dan Robson; Tom West, Tommy Taylor, Jeff Toomaga-Allen (20)  Joe Launchbury (c), Will Rowlands, Jack Willis, Thomas Young, Tom Willis 

Replacements: 16 Gabriel Oghre, 17 Ben Harris, 18 Biyi Alo, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Ben Morris, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Lima Sopoaga and 23 Michael Le Bourgeois

04:42 PM

Analysis: If any side can stop the Exeter Chiefs juggernaut, it is Wasps - and this is how

Charlie Morgan here with analysis on how Wasps can trouble Exeter today.

Wasps are undeniable underdogs – you can find a 12-point handicap with some bookies – but should bring conviction and swagger to the showpiece occasion. And, because of their traits as a team, they will be confident of troubling Chiefs.
Jack Willis at the breakdown

04:39 PM

Long road leads Exeter Chiefs to the cusp of joining double-winning greats

Gavin Mairs speaks exclusively to Gareth Steenson, the long-term Exeter No 10 who bows out today after an extraordinary ride with Exeter.

Rob always had a plan. He is not one for saying we are going to do something that is unreachable. In our first season after we went up, it was unrealistic to win the Premiership. After two or three years in the Premiership and establishing ­ourselves, the next goal was about qualifying for the Heineken Cup by finishing in the top six.

04:39 PM

How Wasps can derail the Exeter Chiefs juggernaut

World Cup winner Will Greenwood picks out Wasps can upset the odds at Twickenham.

At the heart of Wasps' tempo play is Dan Robson, who is all perpetual motion in attack and defence - never letting the opposition settle, never letting his own team coast. He arrives at a breakdown, he sees a black shirt, he lets it fly; he arrives at a breakdown, he sees a half-gap, he lets himself off the leash. It’s relentless.

04:37 PM

Five matches that helped catapult Exeter from 'plucky old Chiefs' to champions of Europe

What a journey it's been for the Chiefs. Daniel Schofield and myself spoke to former Exeter players about the biggest steps for the club so far.

People say it's been a 10-year journey from promotion to the Champions Cup, but it started 10 years before promotion with Tony Rowe and SW Comms coming in. There was relief at having finally been promoted. We were a team of guys who had been let go at other clubs or had come through Exeter University like myself. Everyone wanted to be a Premiership player and had bought into the club.

04:36 PM

Exeter Chiefs v Wasps combined XV: How many Wasps players would get in the champions of Europe's line-up?

Mick Cleary rates the two sets of players. Here he is on Henry Slade.

Now the mature presence in the Chiefs’ midfield. Alert and positive in attack, shrewd and resilient in defence; Slade has become a key man.

04:25 PM

The two coaches catch up

04:14 PM

All eyes on Jack Willis

RPA Players Player of the Year, Discovery of the Season and Premiership Player of the Year - Willis has won the lot. The 23-year-old back-row is nailed on to be capped by England after setting a new record for turnovers won this season with 44(!)

Here's Willis on his technique.

[The flexibility] is actually down to the fact I played a lot of football when I was younger. One of the coaches in our age-group was really big on making sure we stretched before sessions and, as a young lad of eight or nine, some of the guys were saying, ‘Look how flexible you are.’ I thought, 'OK, then I’ll keep stretching'. It just kind of evolved from there. Now I know it’s a crucial part of my game and I’ve got to maintain it and try and improve it.
Wasps' Jack Willis in action - ACTION IMAGES

04:00 PM

Welcome along folks

It's the Gallagher Premiership final! Taking place slightly later in the year than usual. Exeter and Wasps recently met in the final three years ago on what was a baking hot day at Twickenham, hammering into each other passed 80 minutes before Gareth Steenson clinched Exeter's first title.

Since that day the clubs have been through interesting times. Exeter made it back to the 2018 and 2019 finals, but lost both to Saracens.

Wasps meanwhile spiraled into a worrying position around Christmas time, leading to the departure of Dai Young before the most remarkable of resurgences, winning 12 out of 13 Premiership games under Lee Blackett, thrashing Bristol in the semi-final a fortnight ago.

But then we had the drama of whether Wasps would be playing at all today, after the club reported 11 positive Covid-19 tests in recent days before coming through Tuesday's final round of testing with an all clear, meaning Bristol could get on the beers.

As for the game itself - we're set for an enjoyable clash of styles. Wasps will run it from anywhere, thriving on quick tempo and the trickery of Dan Robson. And you know where Exeter excel; an unstoppable maul, controlled and powerful ball carries close to the opponents' line.

Here's Joe Simmonds, the Exeter No 10, on the influence of Rob Baxter.

The way he has brought this team together, it comes from the top, and he started all of this. We are a tight-knit group, and it has to come from the top.The players he brings in, not just good players, but players that fit in, players that want to work hard and are willing to go deep for everyone.I think that comes from Rob, the way he is and the attitude that he has. He's been a huge credit to this club. We respect him massively.

Wasps meanwhile were only back in training on Wednesday after getting the all-clear, which has pros and cons, admits Blackett.

It's not ideal preparation but you could argue that we'll be fresh. We've had two weeks' rest, and we trained really, really well yesterday.We've got 33 players to pick from. It's gut-wrenching for those who will miss out but the health and safety of players and families is more important.

The final is on, thank goodness. Let's hope for a belter to match the Champions Cup final a week ago. 

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