PREM Cup: 2026 Final Confirmed - Leicester Tigers host Exeter Chiefs this Sunday

Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs have been the two most dominant teams throughout the PREM Cup, with the East Midlands and West Country sides securing their play-off places a week ahead of schedule. The Tigers and Chiefs both bagged seven wins from their eight PREM Cup pool stages matches, to take the top spots of Pools A and B respectively.

The sides moved onto the semi-finals this past Sunday, as Exeter hosted Northampton Saints at Sandy Park and Leicester took on the defending PREM Cup champions Bath at Welford Road. Here's a full recap on how the semi-finals played out, as the Chiefs and Tigers prepare for the incoming PREM Cup Final.

Exeter Chiefs powered past Northampton Saints 31-14 in a misty, damp semi-final at Sandy Park to reach the Prem Rugby Cup final at Leicester next Sunday. Josh Hodge starred with two tries, while Zack Wimbush and Greg Fisilau also crossed as the Chiefs dominated possession and territory throughout the first half. Northampton briefly responded through Tom Litchfield, but injuries, including a knee issue to George Hendy, disrupted their rhythm.

The match began with Chiefs scrumhalf Tom Cairns slicing through Northampton’s defence to feed Hodge for the opener. Northampton hit back quickly with Litchfield’s close-range try, but Wimbush’s score just before half-time restored Exeter’s advantage. Fisilau’s opportunistic try early in the second half stretched the lead, before Hodge grabbed his second off Campbell Ridl’s precise offload. The Saints’ late consolation try from Charlie Ulcoq was not enough to threaten the Chiefs’ control.

Exeter’s blend of clinical backline play, physicality, and smart offloading proved decisive, earning them a well-deserved spot in the final despite trailing Leicester Tigers in pool-stage points. The Chiefs will now face Leicester at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in the final, with a 15:30 GMT kick-off.

Exeter Chiefs
Tries: Hodge 2, Wimbush, Fisilau
Conversions: Skinner, Slade 3
Penalties: Slade

Northampton Saints
Tries: Litchfield, Ulcoq
Conversions: Belleau 2

Leicester Tigers stormed past Bath 46-21 in a commanding Prem Rugby Cup semi-final at Mattioli Woods Welford Road to set up a final against Exeter Chiefs next Sunday. The hosts showcased their depth and experience, scoring eight tries through Tom Threlfall, Billy Searle, Tommy Reffell (2), Orlando Bailey, Harry Palmer, Joaquin Moro, and Ollie Hassell-Collins. Bath hit back with tries from Ethan Staddon, Kepu Tuipulotu, and Alex Ridgway, but were outclassed for much of the contest.

The match began with Threlfall and Staddon exchanging early scores, giving Bath a brief lead, but Leicester quickly took control with Searle and Reffell adding tries before halftime. Bath struggled to contain the Tigers’ powerful forward play and slick backline moves, conceding five further tries after the break. Despite the scoreline, Bath had bright moments, with Tuipulotu and Ridgway crossing late, offering consolation and a glimpse of promise from the youthful side.

Leicester’s clinical finishing, disciplined maul work, and attacking cohesion ensured they dominated throughout, earning a deserved place in the final. They will now face a Josh Hodge-led Exeter Chiefs side at Sandy Park in a much-anticipated clash, with a 15:30 GMT kick-off next Sunday.

Leicester Tigers
Tries: Threlfall, Searle, Reffell 2, Bailey, Palmer, Moro, Hassell-Collins
Conversions: Searle 2, Whiteley

Bath Rugby
Tries: Staddon, Tuipulotu, Ridgway
Conversions: Roue 2, Harrison