In the battle between PREM Rugby’s two longest-serving bosses, it was Rob Baxter and his Exeter Chiefs who got the better of Mark McCall’s Saracens to seal the last remaining play-off spot.
On English club rugby’s ‘Super Saturday’ – the final day of the regular season before the knock-out rounds begin – the game of the day was in Devon.
It was a straight shootout, with the winner having a shot at the title and the loser’s season ending.
Given their huge experience and trophy-laden stints with their respective clubs Baxter and McCall have plenty of experience of games of such magnitude. This was their 34th head-to-head meeting.
It was do or die, especially for McCall who will now depart Saracens after 17 years following defeat here. In their club veteran and England centre Henry Slade, Exeter had the game’s outstanding performer. Exeter finished third and will travel to Bath in Saturday’s second semi-final.
Bath were 24-22 winners over Leicester to just seal a home game in the last four, with giant South African prop Thomas du Toit scoring the first hat-trick by a prop in PREM history.
Exeter pipped Saracens to the last remaining play-off spot with a 32-12 victory over them
Exeter veteran and England centre Henry Slade (left) was the game’s outstanding performer
The first semi-final will see table toppers Northampton Saints host East Midlands rivals Leicester on Friday.
But had Orlando Bailey kicked a conversion to earn Leicester a draw at his former club Bath, the Tigers would have been at home.
‘It’s a really good feeling,’ said Slade, who said Exeter’s win felt extra special given his team had finished second bottom last season and their rivalry with Saracens.
‘We got used to this a couple of years back and you probably don’t realise you miss something until you haven’t got it. We’ve got a great opportunity to go on for another couple of weeks hopefully. We probably started a little bit nervy, understandably. But once we got over that, I think we came really strong.’
Ahead of this showdown, Exeter had been dealt a big blow with the loss of England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Greg Fisilau to facial injuries.
Maro Itoje and Jamie George revved Saracens up to the max as pre-match wet weather relented by kick-off. Unsurprisingly, given what was at stake and the fact there was a stiff Devon breeze, there was a nervousness to the early proceedings. It was from one Exeter error that Saracens opened the scoring, Tobias Elliott finishing in the corner.
Both teams weren’t helped by their line-out wobbling badly, the swirling wind making life difficult. Slade put the hosts on the board and then denied Rotimi Segun.
A scrappy first period ended with Exeter rewarded for their bravery. They could have kicked the ball dead to end the half but booted down field and then won a penalty.
Slade raced into space, forcing Saracens No 9 Charlie Bracken into a deliberate knock on for which he was justly yellow carded. Slade then kicked to the corner and a neat line-out play ended with a try for hooker Max Norey, who had struggled to that point.
It soon got even better for the locals when the game resumed. With Max Malins providing emergency cover for Bracken, Exeter snaffled possession from a Saracens attack and moved quickly.
Again, it was that man Slade, who started and finished the counterattack, adding the conversion and then a penalty too.
McCall unloaded his bench in response, Owen Farrell and Noah Caluori appearing, but after a slow start it was Exeter who were dominant.
It was a sad ending to Mark McCall’s incredible 17-year stint as Saracens’ director of rugby
McCall expressed his frustration at the final game of his reign ending in this fashion
Andrea Zambonin’s try was the clincher and came following a series of tight forward carries.
Nick Isiekwe’s consolation was too little, too late and Stephen Varney’s dribble and finish on the breakaway rubber-stamped Exeter’s day.
McCall, who will now step back to hand control to Brendan Venter, said: ‘In the end we were beaten by the better team but we were frustrated. The momentum swung massively on half time. We couldn’t get a foothold in the game. It’s very disappointing. I’m sad that it’s ending. I’ve had a great time here. It’s a shame it finished the way it’s finished but from a playing squad perspective, I think there’s a lot to be optimistic about.’
Elsewhere, Gloucester finished eighth to seal the final English spot in next season’s Champions Cup thanks to a 54-21 win over bottom side Newcastle.
Sale will also be in European rugby’s top competition. They blew away a Bristol side who were seemingly already on the beach with a fast start to win 38-17.
Northampton, who had already sealed top spot, were beaten 38-31 at Harlequins thanks to a last-gasp home winner from Tom Lawday.
