Northampton Saints were crowned Premiership champions after a thrilling 26-17 victory over Exeter Chiefs in the final at Twickenham. Two tries from winger George Hendy inside four minutes late in the second half propelled the Saints to their second domestic title in three years, having previously beaten Bath in the 2024 final.
Hendy's Double Seals the Win
With the score tied at 17-17 after Exeter had taken the lead through captain Dafydd Jenkins, Hendy struck twice to secure the trophy. The 22-year-old wing, who also set up Alex Mitchell's clinching try in the 2024 final, crossed the line in the 73rd and 77th minutes, leaving the Chiefs unable to respond.
"He's a pretty special player," said Northampton captain George Furbank of Hendy, tipping him for an England call-up after the match.
Exeter's Valiant Effort Falls Short
Exeter, who had battled past Leicester, Saracens, and Bath to reach the final, took the lead for the first time in the 51st minute when Jenkins charged over following a yellow card to Northampton's Josh Kemeny. Henry Slade converted to give the Chiefs a 17-14 advantage.
However, the Chiefs' lineout woes (winning only two of five in the first half) and a yellow card to Jenkins for a high tackle on Furbank in the 56th minute stalled their momentum. Head coach Rob Baxter's side ultimately ran out of gas as their forwards tired in the sweltering heat.
First Half Action
Northampton started brightly, with Tommy Freeman scoring the simplest of tries inside the first two minutes after Exeter's Ollie Woodburn and Manny Feyi-Waboso collided. The Saints led 14-5 at halftime after Fin Smith sliced through for a try and conversion, but Exeter hit back through Josh Iosefa-Scott just before the break.
Exeter's Campbell Ridl earlier sprinted 45 metres for a try after intercepting a loose offload from Freeman, and the Chiefs could have scored more but for desperate Northampton defence.
Furbank's Farewell
The victory provided a fitting send-off for Furbank, who is heading to Harlequins this summer. He lifted the new, heavier trophy in front of a crowd of 81,126 at Twickenham.
"It's an incredible feeling," Furbank said. "We knew Exeter would be tough, but the boys showed immense character to come back."
Season Significance
The final capped a season that restored faith in English domestic rugby, with fans from Bath and Leicester among the attendance, drawn by the quality of the entertainment. The match featured four tries, three yellow cards, and relentless pace, fitting for a campaign that saw Northampton top the regular season table.
