Exeter delivered a commanding 32-12 victory over Saracens at Sandy Park to secure their place in the Premiership play-off semi-finals. Henry Slade starred with two penalties, a conversion and a try, while Max Norey, Andrea Zambonin and Stephen Varney crossed the line for the Chiefs. Saracens managed tries through Tobias Elliott and Nick Isiekwe, but Charlie Bracken's sin-binning proved costly.

The result marks the end of Mark McCall's extraordinary 17-year tenure as Saracens director of rugby, concluding a spell that delivered six Premiership titles and three European Champions Cups. McCall's side had dominated Exeter in previous Twickenham finals between 2016 and 2020, making this defeat particularly poignant. The match carried knockout intensity as both teams fought for the final semi-final spot.

Exeter's triumph elevates them to third place in the table, setting up a semi-final clash against Bath next week. Saracens slip to fourth and miss out on the play-offs despite their historical success under McCall. The Chiefs' last appearance in the semi-finals came in 2021, making this return significant for the club.

This victory provides sweet redemption for Exeter supporters still feeling the impact of the 2020 salary cap scandal that saw Saracens relegated. The comprehensive nature of the win demonstrates Exeter's current form heading into the knockout stages.