Exeter threaten Northampton’s title ambitions in final where underdogs thrive https://ift.tt/BMR1NeV Robert Kitson <p>Despite finishing third in the regular season table Exeter Chiefs are confident they can cause an upset at Twickenham</p><p>Prem finals do not always unfold as anticipated. Six of the last seven editions have been settled by six points or fewer and favourites are not guaranteed to have it their own way. Remember Freddie Burns’ late drop-goal to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/18/freddie-burns-late-leicester-drop-goal-downs-saracens-premiership-final-rugby-union">edge Leicester past Saracens</a> in 2022? Or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/26/harlequins-exeter-premiership-final-rugby-union-match-report">Harlequins coming from behind </a>against Exeter the previous year? In Twickenham’s summer heat – it’s uncanny how often the weather plays ball – the best of plans can easily go awol.</p><p>In 2024 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jun/08/premiership-final-northampton-bath-rugby-union">Bath were undone</a> after Beno Obano’s first-half red card and 12 months ago Michael Cheika’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/14/premiership-rugby-bath-leicester-match-report">Leicester came within a couple of points</a> of causing a big upset. The common denominator? Finals can be unpredictable occasions and, under pressure, what looked a dead cert last week becomes as relevant as last year’s lottery numbers.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/19/exeter-threaten-northampton-title-ambitions-underdogs-prem-final-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a> https://ift.tt/KJXEHCW June 19, 2026 at 08:00PM - news

الجمعة، 19 يونيو 2026

Exeter threaten Northampton’s title ambitions in final where underdogs thrive https://ift.tt/BMR1NeV Robert Kitson

Despite finishing third in the regular season table Exeter Chiefs are confident they can cause an upset at Twickenham

Prem finals do not always unfold as anticipated. Six of the last seven editions have been settled by six points or fewer and favourites are not guaranteed to have it their own way. Remember Freddie Burns’ late drop-goal to edge Leicester past Saracens in 2022? Or Harlequins coming from behind against Exeter the previous year? In Twickenham’s summer heat – it’s uncanny how often the weather plays ball – the best of plans can easily go awol.

In 2024 Bath were undone after Beno Obano’s first-half red card and 12 months ago Michael Cheika’s Leicester came within a couple of points of causing a big upset. The common denominator? Finals can be unpredictable occasions and, under pressure, what looked a dead cert last week becomes as relevant as last year’s lottery numbers.

Continue reading... https://ift.tt/KJXEHCW June 19, 2026 at 08:00PM

Despite finishing third in the regular season table Exeter Chiefs are confident they can cause an upset at Twickenham

Prem finals do not always unfold as anticipated. Six of the last seven editions have been settled by six points or fewer and favourites are not guaranteed to have it their own way. Remember Freddie Burns’ late drop-goal to edge Leicester past Saracens in 2022? Or Harlequins coming from behind against Exeter the previous year? In Twickenham’s summer heat – it’s uncanny how often the weather plays ball – the best of plans can easily go awol.

In 2024 Bath were undone after Beno Obano’s first-half red card and 12 months ago Michael Cheika’s Leicester came within a couple of points of causing a big upset. The common denominator? Finals can be unpredictable occasions and, under pressure, what looked a dead cert last week becomes as relevant as last year’s lottery numbers.

Continue reading...

from The Guardian https://ift.tt/BMR1NeV

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