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Premiership Play-Off Race Goes to Wire in Final Round

BBC Sport •
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The Premiership regular season concludes with decisive action as four teams compete for two remaining play-off spots. Second-placed Bath face third-placed Leicester at The Rec, while fourth-placed Exeter host fifth-placed Saracens in a direct shootout for the final semi-final berth. Northampton have already secured top spot and home advantage for next week's semi-finals, leaving these two matches to determine the remaining qualifiers.

Exeter must win or draw to guarantee their first top-four finish since 2021, but lose Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to facial injury surgery. The England winger's absence sees Paul Brown-Bampoe start on the wing, with Christ Tshiunza replacing Greg Fisilau in the back row. Saracens welcome back Theo McFarland and Rotimi Segun, knowing victory secures their play-off place unless Exeter claim two losing bonus points.

Bath tackle Leicester without Finn Russell, who remains sidelined with a calf problem, handing Santi Carreras the fly-half duties. Leicester feature James O'Connor at No. 10 and Gabriel-Hamer-Webb on the wing, with Cameron Henderson promoted to start. The loser misses out on a home semi-final tie.

Elsewhere, Gloucester host Newcastle with Matias Alemanno making his 100th and final appearance, while Harlequins face Northampton needing victory to keep Champions Cup hopes alive. These final-round fixtures will shape next weekend's semi-final matchups and European qualification.