Exeter Chiefs player ratings vs Bath Rugby: 2025/26 Gallagher PREM semi-final

Saturday, 13 June 2026 at 17:10

byCharlie Elliott

Exeter Chiefs player ratings following their remarkable comeback victory away at The Rec, as they booked their place at Allianz Stadium next week.

They fought back from 16 points down to preserve their record of never having lost a play-off match in seven attempts.

It looked to not be their afternoon after Rob Baxter’s side were overwhelmed in the first half, conceding four tries to trail by 16 points. Joe Cokanasiga and Henry Arundell both scored out wide, with Arundell producing a brilliant finish under pressure.

Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel

Exeter’s only first-half try came through Christ Tshiunza, who burst through the line and beat Santi Carreras with a superb sidestep.

Baxter’s decision to replace his entire front row after 44 minutes proved crucial, as the Chiefs scored twice in five minutes and closed the gap. Cokanasiga’s yellow card then helped swing momentum further Exeter’s way.

Replacement prop Ethan Burger eventually powered over to give the visitors the lead, and despite a late Bath response, the Chiefs held firm to complete one of the greatest comebacks in PREM Rugby history and book their place at Allianz Stadium.

Bath Rugby: 26

Tries: Beno Obano (12'), Thomas du Toit (20'), Joe Cokanasiga (28'), Henry Arundell (33')
Cons: Santi Carreras (13',21',29')
Pens:
Yellow card: Joe Cokanasiga (65')

Exeter Chiefs: 27

Tries: Christ Tshiunza (25'), Ben Hammersley (51'), Greg Fisilau (56'), Ethan Burger (68')
Cons: Henry Slade (26',52')
Pens: Harvey Skinner (16')
Yellow card: Henry Slade (11')

15 Olly Woodburn — 7.5

Grew into the game, seeing plenty of the ball and making some effective carries from deep, which included a line break and offload in the build-up to Ben Hammersley’s try.

Later went down with an eye injury but was able to continue. Made the most important play of the game by holding up the ball right at the death.

14 Paul Brown-Bampoe — 8.5

Started the game with intent with some excellent work at the breakdown to win a penalty with just over a minute on the clock.

Made some serious yards out wide and made the most of his carries, also nearly getting an assist by keeping the ball in well following a loose pass.

13 Henry Slade — 7.5

Was involved in so much of the good work that Chiefs produced, although ultimately may have some regret over a couple of late missed conversions, which would have put the game out of sight for his side.

His unnecessary yellow card for an intentional knock on also gave Bath a strong start in the first half, with them scoring 14 points in his absence.

It didn't matter though, and it was his assist for Hammersley that really kickstarted their comeback, with a perfectly delayed pass sending him through, alongside a lot of strong carries and playmaking overall.

12 Len Ikitau — 8

Carried well throughout and brought both attacking and defensive grit to the game, making consistent impacts throughout. May not have been at his absolute best, but was so solid.

11 Campbell Ridl — 6

Young England prospect Ridl had a whirlwind 30 minutes, after being taken off inexplicably by Rob Baxter for apparent tactical reasons, however the change was possibly injury related.

He made a nice interception to stop a dangerous Bath attack after Santi Carreras passed it straight to him, but missed a tackle on Ollie Lawrence in the buildup to Joe Cokanasiga's try, which proved to be his last involvement before coming off.

Looked quite lively and solid in the air, so it was a bit of an odd move to take him off, with unclear reasoning.

10 Harvey Skinner — 9

In his 25th consecutive start, Skinner showed why so much trust has been put in him recently. He made a great tackle on Alfie Barbeary in the corner to stop a certain try early on, and was heavily involved in Fisilau's score after a fake pass that sent him through, before the back row later finished the score off.

Playmaking was excellent throughout, but he mixed it with some good defensive efforts and was rewarded with Player of the Match.

9 Stephen Varney — 8.5

So key to this side, Varney was simply excellent again. Kicked well, was tactically astute generally, and was incredible at managing the game as it required. A great player who stepped up well.

1 Scott Sio — 5.5

It wasn't the ending that Sio would have liked in what looked at one point to be his final Chiefs appearance before heading to Cardiff next season, as he limped off just after half-time without making a real impact, and conceding a penalty to Thomas du Toit from the first scrum of the match.

2 Max Norey — 6.5

Norey got involved early with a few touches and made some positive carries, while also putting in plenty of effort off the ball with 17 tackles in total.

However, he got caught offside in a dangerous position on one occasion, resulting in a penalty, which was the main blemish on an otherwise solid afternoon.

Was also replaced shortly after the break as part of the sweeping changes to the front row.

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott — 5.5

Not the best performance from the prop against such a powerful Bath front row. He was outmuscled by opposite number Thomas du Toit for his try, and later conceded a penalty from Beno Obano at scrum time which led to Arundell's score.

Played just over 40 minutes and failed to make a huge impact, despite seeing a lot of the ball and making a decent amount of carries.

4 Dafydd Jenkins — 7.5

Put in a high volume of tackles and brought plenty of energy to the Exeter forward pack, finishing with double-digit tackle numbers. Jenkins also showed an attacking edge to his game, including a well-judged offload to Slade. A strong performance that laid an excellent platform.

5 Andrea Zambonin — 8

May not have been as effective at disrupting the opposition lineout as he was against Leicester Tigers a fortnight ago, but was still strong in the air. Put himself about and got a good amount of touches on the ball, helping his team out.

6 Tom Hooper — 8.5

The decision to deploy a physical back row proved to be the right one from Baxter, with Hooper playing a key role in a well-functioning unit that dominated in several areas.

The Australia international made a number of powerful carries and finished second for tackles made with 29, as the back row as a whole occupied all three spots at the top of that category.

7 Christ Tshiunza — 8.5

Tshuinza’s try will not be forgotten in a hurry, as he stepped fly-half Santi Carreras in a manner uncharacteristic of a powerful back-row forward, lifting his side and providing a memorable highlight. Ahead of his move to Sale Sharks next season, he also made 18 tackles in a strong 60-minute shift.

8 Greg Fisilau — 9

Arguably the standout in a highly effective back row unit, Fisilau scored a close-range try after being denied moments earlier following a break from Josh Bayliss, a reward for a superb all-round performance. He led the match for tackles made and was at his powerful, influential best throughout.

Replacements

The whole front row deserves immense credit for changing the momentum in the game, particularly Ethan Burger who was rewarded with the winning score, making himself an unlikely hero.

Bachuki Tchumbadze also stood up well physically, and while Joseph Dweba's lineout throwing wasn't perfect, he offered a lot both on and off the ball.

16 Joseph Dweba — 8

17 Ethan Burger — 9

18 Bachuki Tchumbadze — 8.5

19 Rusi Tuima — N/A

20 Ross Vintcent — 7.5

21 Tom Cairns — N/A

22 Zack Wimbush — 7

23 Ben Hammersley — 7

It was a surprise to see him come on for Ridl, but the decision appeared to be a good one as he settled into the game with a couple of strong carries early in the second half.

His afternoon improved further when he scored the first try after the break to spark the Chiefs’ comeback, before being withdrawn after 70 minutes following a head injury.