Northampton Saints came from behind to beat Exeter Chiefs 26-17 in the Gallagher PREM Final at Twickenham and took their third English title.
Northampton Saints beat Exeter Chiefs 26-17 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday 20 June 2026, in the first English club final under the league’s new PREM name.
The competition dates from 1987, when English clubs first organised themselves into a national league. For its first decade the champion was whoever finished top.
The play-off final came later and turned a nine-month season into one afternoon at Twickenham, the last fixture of the English club year. The semi-finals are played at the higher-placed clubs’ own grounds a fortnight earlier.
Exeter reached this final by coming from 16 points down to knock out the defending champions, Bath, in their semi-final. Northampton, champions of England in 2014 and 2024, came seeking a third title under Phil Dowson.
Before a crowd of 81,126, Tommy Freeman scored inside two minutes after two Exeter backs collided near their own line. Fin Smith added a second try for a 14-5 lead, before Josh Iosefa-Scott and Dafydd Jenkins put Exeter three points ahead.
Once Jenkins had joined Northampton’s Josh Kemeny in the sin-bin for a high tackle, George Hendy scored twice in three minutes. The win gave Northampton their second title in three seasons.