Exeter Chiefs revived their season with a 35-26 Premiership win over Leicester Tigers, a result that will interest followers of sports ireland as the play-off race tightened dramatically. Andrea Zambonin scored the decisive late try at Welford Road, while Olly Woodburn crossed twice in a high-pressure game that swung repeatedly before Exeter finished stronger.
Leicester started well enough through Orlando Bailey’s boot, but Exeter struck first in real style. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso broke from deep, cut through defenders and sent Woodburn under the posts. George Pearson, on his Premiership debut, answered with a smart finish after Bailey’s well-judged kick, and the home side edged a tight first half 14-13.
Exeter seize control in Premiership play-off battle
The match changed after the restart. Len Ikitau put Exeter back in front, then created Woodburn’s second with a sharp pass that opened the Tigers defence. Leicester still had a response. Woodburn’s yellow card for a deliberate knock-on gave the hosts territory and momentum, and tries from Olly Cracknell and Charlie Clare turned the game again.
But Exeter did not fold. With the pressure on and the top-four picture shifting across ireland sports news and rugby ireland coverage, Harvey Skinner produced the pass of the game to release Zambonin down the left. The Italian lock finished brilliantly for his first Premiership try and a crucial bonus-point score.
- Final score: Leicester Tigers 26-35 Exeter Chiefs
- Exeter scorers: Woodburn (2), Ikitau, Zambonin
- Key kicker: Henry Slade added 14 points
- Big consequence: Exeter moved back into fourth place
What it means next
This result leaves Exeter three points clear of Saracens before their final regular-season meeting, while Leicester head to Bath with home semi-final positioning still at stake. For fans tracking ireland rugby, ireland sports updates and ireland sports analysis, this was a timely reminder that tight games are often decided by composure in the final 10 minutes. The next step is simple: Exeter now have a straight shootout for the play-offs, and sports ireland readers will want to watch that one closely.
