Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs draw 33-33 in Premiership opener

Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs played out a dramatic 33-33 draw in the Premiership opener at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday, September 28, 2025, after a game that saw Northampton build a 33-7 halftime lead before Exeter produced a 26-point second-half fightback. The match, refereed by Joe James, finished level after a late Henry Slade score for the visitors was ruled out for a forward pass in the buildup.

Exeter took an early lead when Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, making his return from a long-term shoulder injury, touched down inside the opening minutes and Slade converted. Northampton responded with a sequence of tries that left the home crowd stunned: Alex Coles barged over from close range, Tom Pearson crossed after a break, 19-year-old Edoardo Todaro scored twice on his Premiership debut, and Tom Litchfield finished a move that secured a first-half bonus point. Anthony Belleau converted four times as Saints went into the interval 33-7 ahead.

The second half belonged to Exeter. The Chiefs opened with a score from Paul Brown-Bampoe and, as Exeter began to win collisions and dominate the breakdown, Ross Vintcent crossed twice before Feyi-Waboso finished his...