Northampton 33-33 Exeter: Chiefs' stunning comeback stuns Saints on opening weekend

Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson described the second half as “very poor” and “hugely frustrating” as they failed to score a point in the latter 40 minutes. The Saints failed to create chances and gifted the Chiefs opportunities, especially with an extremely dangerous back three in Paul Brown-Bampoe, Immanuel Fey-Waboso and Josh Hodge who Dowson said are “particularly good at counter attacking.”

Northampton’s new summer signings showed the East Midlands what they can do, as Italian Edoardo Todaro scored with a brace of his own, Frenchman Anthony Belleau pulled the strings from the fly-half position. Callum Chick and JJ van der Metsch were utilised by the Saints as battering rams through the middle of the park.

The visitors opened the scoring at cinch Stadium, a reoccurring story for the black, green and gold, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso put his name on the score sheet for the first time since December 2024, from a quick pick up from a ruck proving positive, Henry Slade added the extras. Northampton hit back with one of their own, as newcomer Callum Chick bounced off three Exeter players and made room for Alex Coles to pick his gap for Northampton’s first points of the season.

Northampton Saints, despite a slow start, scored a flurry of tries and head into the tunnel for half time with a bonus point – Tom Pearson’s score got Franklins’ Gardens bouncing, before summer signing Todaro scored a brace for his new side. Tom Litchfield capitalised upon the latest of Dingwall’s midfield magic, as Dingwall's delayed pass’ split the minds of the Chiefs defence.

Exeter started the second period as they did the first, Paul Brown-Bampoe looked to build upon his 21-try tally from last season, as the young winger latched onto Stephen Varney’s grubber kick. The visitors continued to grow into the second half, as Josh Hodge broke the line and put Exeter’s third try on a plate for Ross Vintcent.

Braces for Vintcent and Feyi-Waboso set up a grand finale at the gardens, as Exeter clawed their way back into the game. Josh Hodge saw red, after olliding with the head of Sam Graham, however the Saints unable to convert from the penalty. Exeter’s winning try was chalked off, the pass from Brown-Bampoe was deemed forward by the Television Match Official. Despite late efforts from both teams, the game ended in a draw, Exeter Chiefs found their feet in the second period, to come back from a 26 point deficit at half time.

TRIES: Coles (11’), Pearson (24’), Todaro (27’, 36’), Litchfield (31’)

CONVERSIONS: Belleau (11’, 24’, 32’, 37’)

STARTING XV: 15 George Hendy 14 Edoardo Todaro 13 Tom Litchfield 12 Fraser Dingwall © 11 James Ramm10 Anthony Belleau 9 Archie McParland 1 Emmanuel Iyogun 2 Craig Wright 3 Trevor Davison 4 Alex Coles 5 Ed Prowse 6 Angus Scott-Young 7 Tom Pearson 8 Callum Chick

Replacements: 16 Henry Walker 17 Danilo Fischetti 18 Elliot Millar Mills 19 JJ Van Der Mescht 20 Sam Graham 21 Jonny Weimann 22 Rory Hutchinson 23 Toby Thame

TRIES: Feyi-Wabaso (3’, 68’), Brown-Bampoe(42’), Vintcent (54’, 66’)

CONVERSIONS: Slade (4’, 54’, 67’, 68’)

RED CARDS: Josh Hodge (71’)

STARTING XV: 15 Josh Hodge 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 13 Henry Slade © 12 Ben Hammersley 11 Paul Brown-Bampoe 10 Harvey Skinner 9 Stephen Varney 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke 2 Joseph Dweba 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott 4 Rusi Tuima 5 Lewis Pearson 6 Christ Tshiunza 7 Greg Fisilau 8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle 17 Kwenzo Blose 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze 19 Dafydd Jenkins 20 Andrea Zambonin 21 Charlie Chapman 22 Nick Lilley 23 Kane James