Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens for final Premiership playoff spot

The final round of the Gallagher Premiership regular season will be decided Saturday afternoon as Exeter Chiefs host Saracens at Sandy Park, with the winner securing the last available playoff spot. All matches kick off simultaneously at 3:15 PM BST.

Exeter enters the match in fourth place, holding a three-point advantage over fifth-place Saracens. A win or a draw would see the Chiefs advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2021. Saracens must win to leapfrog their rivals and extend their season. The London-based club has won its last five matches to surge into contention, while Exeter arrives with momentum from a significant 35-26 victory over Leicester Tigers last weekend.

The match carries significant weight for both clubs. For Saracens, a loss would mean missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year, a first in the club's modern history. It could also mark the final game for director of rugby Mark McCall, who is stepping down after 17 trophy-laden years in charge. Exeter, meanwhile, is bidding farewell to approximately 20 players at season's end, including key figures like Len Ikitau, Scott Sio, and Christ Tshiunza.

Both sides have made key selection decisions...