Full story
Saints beat Exeter
Northampton Saints won the English Premiership title after a 26-17 victory against Exeter Chiefs in the final played on Saturday, 20 June 2026, at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
“Northampton Saints are proving themselves to be the formidable force in English club rugby union”
The BBC said the Saints ran out 26-17 winners after being pushed all the way by Exeter Chiefs in the Prem final before eventually running out 26-17 winners at Allianz Stadium.
The BBC also tied the outcome to a turning point when George Hendy’s quickfire second-half double came as the Chiefs were down to 14 men following the sin-binning of Dafydd Jenkins.
Sky Sports previewed the same final as Northampton seeking to regain the title after last winning it in 2024, with Exeter seeking their first since 2020.
After the final whistle, Henry Pollock told BBC Sport, "This is something you dream of as a little kid."
Quotes and context
BBC Radio 5 Live correspondent Chris Jones said, "Northampton are building a dynasty," while Matt Dawson said, "This crop are the best Northampton team there has ever been. Period."
BBC Sport quoted Pollock saying, "This is surreal," as he described the moment of playing a Premiership final in front of a packed out Twickenham.
The BBC also reported that captain George Furbank bowed out in style as he prepares to leave his boyhood club to join Harlequins, and Furbank said, "It was a mix of relief, happiness, sadness, all merged into one."
Sky Sports framed the matchup as a return to the final structure since 2003, and it noted that on Saturday Northampton seek to regain the title having won it in 2024.
Sky Sports also described Exeter’s path as coming from 16 points behind to win at defending champions Bath in the semis, setting up their bid for their first title since 2020.
What’s next for both
The BBC said Northampton’s third crown in all came with the club’s academy pipeline, and it pointed to "14 academy graduates in their 23" as part of the foundation for future success.
“Henry Pollock and Northampton brought the title back at Twickenham: Saints broke Exeter in the Premiership final run-in Northampton Saints won the English Premiership champions’ title after a 26:17 victory against Exeter Chiefs in the final played on Saturday, 20 June 2026, at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham”
BBC Radio 5 Live also quoted Chris Jones saying the team’s development is based on developing their own, while Matt Dawson said the trophies, style, and what they have done for the town and fans are "unrivalled."
Sky Sports previewed that Northampton’s final is at 3pm on Saturday in 2026, while it described Exeter as having made the final a year on from finishing ninth in a 10-team league.
BBC Sport quoted Pollock about giving departing players a good send off, saying, "We spoke all year about giving the boys who are leaving us a good send off, especially Furbank."
With Furbank preparing to leave for Harlequins, the BBC reported that Ashton said Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson deserves credit and that "Without question, [the England job] should be in the making right now."
