Table-toppers Northampton Saints will square up to third-place finishers Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Prem Final at Twickenham on Saturday and it promises to be a blockbuster affair.
The Saints reached the winner-takes-all showdown courtesy of a 45-31 victory over Leicester Tigers on their own patch at Franklin's Gardens last weekend.
Exeter went to The Rec and took out defending champions Bath on the road in a superb fightback as they scored 17 unanswered points in the second half after trailing 26-10 at the break.
Northampton were Prem winners most recently in 2024, while Exeter were top dogs in 2020 – both clubs being two-time winners.
Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs Tips Summary
Best Bet - Northampton Saints to win by 1-12 points @ 12/5
Alternative Bet - George Furbank to score a try @ 15/8
Bet Builder - Tommy Freeman to score a try, Over 50.5 points, Northampton to lead after 20 minutes & Exeter Chiefs to win either half - Yes @ 6/1
Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs Prediction
Best Bet: Northampton Saints to win by 1-12 points @ 12/5
Northampton have proved themselves the most effective attacking force in the land this season but, by contrast, the Saints are porous at the other end. Now they meet the Gallagher Prem's meanest defence in this decisive game.
A contrast of styles, as such, but one in which Phil Dowson's side have the capability to come out on top.
Exeter have demonstrated a propensity for slow starts. They trailed Saints 33-7 at the break when they met at Franklin's Gardens and, last week, had to score 17 unanswered points in the second half to down Bath by the minimum. That's a worry for Rob Baxter and his squad.
So, too, is a poor record in finals, with four defeats in six Gallagher Prem deciders since 2016. Just one of those losses, the 27-10 reverse against Saracens in 2018, was by a wide margin.
All the other five finals featuring the Chiefs have been decided by eight points or fewer. They've shown tremendous fight to beat Leicester, Sarries and Bath in consecutive weekends to get here.
This may prove a step too far but expect Exeter to be within hailing distance after 80 minutes.
Alternative Bet: George Furbank to score a try @ 15/8
A Northampton Saints supporter since he was a boy, England international George Furbank plays his final game for the Black, Green and Gold now after both parties amicably agreed on a move to Harlequins this summer.
Furbank touched down twice in the win over Leicester Tigers last weekend and the fullback admits that trying to secure the perfect end to his Saints career has been a "massive driving motivator" since his move was confirmed in April.
The skipper may well get his fairytale ending with a trophy lift and could push Saints towards that outcome with a try-scoring performance.
Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs Bet Builder Tip
Tommy Freeman to score a try
Over 50.5 points
Northampton Saints to lead after 20 minutes
Exeter Chiefs to win either half - Yes
Pays 6/1
Slow starts have characterised Exeter at times this season. They recovered a 26-point deficit to draw with Saints in the first meeting of these two and have come from behind at half-time in two of their three most recent wins, overhauling Leicester and Bath.
In between, their win over Saracens was ultimately comprehensive but they only scored eight first half points.
Northampton were hefty favourites two years ago against Bath but made hard work of that final, hitting the front inside the last 10 minutes via Alex Mitchell's try.
Their attacking unit is sublime now and they will want to stamp that class on this game. They should be capable of establishing an early lead but a Chiefs fightback is just as probable.
The last six Gallagher Prem meetings of these two have gone over 50 points and that theme is expected to continue.
Tommy Freeman was one of Saints' try scorers in the final at Twickenham in 2024 and is their leading try-scorer this season, behind only Noah Caluori in the regular season. The England wing can add another now.
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Key Match Stats
Northampton Saints have scored a record 111 tries in just 19 Gallagher Prem games this season
Exeter had the meanest defence in the regular season, conceding 367 points in 18 games, compared to Northampton's 536
Saints won 14 of their 18 league fixtures this season, including a 35-28 win at Sandy Park in April
Exeter had come from 33-7 down at half-time to draw 33-33 in September's clash at Franklin's Gardens
Exeter lead the overall head-to-head 20-17 with just that one draw in 38 previous meetings
Northampton have played in four Gallagher Prem finals, winning two. Exeter have played in six, losing on four occasions
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
