Rugby Union
Premiership Rugby Final 2026: Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs Predictions
The 2025/26 Premiership Rugby Final arrives at Twickenham at 3pm on Saturday, as Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs face of for the biggest prize in English rugby. William Hill News are here to have their say on who lifts the title.
England’s rugby showpiece event has served up some memorable finals over the years, and Saturday’s clash look set to add another chapter to the story. For the 7th consecutive season there will be no back-to-back champions, with Northampton seeking to claim their third title and second in three seasons. Meanwhile, a victory for Exeter would also be their third crown, and their first since that remarkable campaign in 2020.
Our Prediction
Northampton To Win – 2/5
Exeter’s underdog story is on the great narratives of the Premiership season, and their resilience shouldn’t not be underestimated. However, Northampton have been the better, more consistent side for a longer period of time. The depth and quality across Phil Dowson’s squad gives them the edge at the neutral venue. Saints finished top of the table for a reason, and with Fin Smith pulling the strings and Litchfield in irresistible form, they look set to claim their Premiership crown.
The routes to Twickenham could not have been more different. Northampton, who topped the regular season table and went unbeaten at home throughout the campaign, overcome fierce East midlands rivals Leicester Tigers 45-31 in a pulsating semi-final at Franklin’s Gardens, with captain George Furbank’s last ditch score putting the contest beyond the Tigers.
Meanwhile, Exeter did things the hard way. After securing a play-off position in the final round of the regular season, they pulled off one of the greatest comeback victories in the semi-finals. The Chiefs overturned a 16-point deficit to topple defending champions Bath 27-26 at The Rec, becoming just the 7th team to win an away semi-final in 48 Premiership play-off games.
How are the markets looking?
Northampton Saints – 2/5
Draw – 20/1
Exeter Chiefs – 21/10
Saints to pick up where they left off?
Phil Dowson’s side have been the team of the season, and the betting markets reflect it. Saints topped the Premiership table, went unbeaten at home, and have looked every inch the most complete side in the division. Their dominant semi-final win over Leicester was a statement to say the least. They have proven that they can find another gear when the pressure is highest.
Fin Smith has dictated games from fly-half all season and his ability to control tempo while also unlocking the line with well-timed breaks and perfectly weighted kicks was on full display against the Tigers. Tom Litchfield, Saints’ player of the season, produced a hat-trick in the that semi-final and in the form of his life, while Tommy freeman and George Furbank give Northampton a back three than can trouble any defence in the country. Add Henry Pollock into the mix, one of the most exciting No.8s in world rugby, and this is a team loaded with match-winners.
Exeter Underdogs Again?
A year ago, Exeter were in disarray, recording just four league wins in a season that left them second-bottom in the table and suffering an embarrassing 79-17 defeat to Gloucester. What Rob Baxter has rebuilt in the last 12 months has been extraordinary, and that comeback against Bath felt like more of a statement than a result. Exeter are a club that refuse to be written off.
Henry Slade remains one of the finest centres in England, while Len Ikitau brings physicality and craft in equal measure, meanwhile Greg Fisilau, the young Chiefs back-rower, brings ball-carrying threat from the back of the scrum. Chiefs have shown throughout the play-offs that they can dig in when the heat is on, and they will be looking to do just that at Twickenham on Saturday.
*Prices accurate at the time of writing – Odds subject to change*
