Summary

  • FT: Exeter 38-40 Harlequins

  • Harlequins crowned Premiership champions for first time since 2012

  • Quins had led 19-14 at half-time after scoring three tries

  • Exeter reclaimed lead inside last quarter after Sam Simmonds and Ollie Devoto tries

  • Two Louis Lynagh tries put Quins on verge of title

  • Stuart Hogg replied with try to give Chiefs hope but Quins held on

  1. Postpublished at 48 mins

    Exeter 14-26 Harlequins

    Exeter have thrown Stuart Hogg on as well as Don Armand as Richard Capstick and the injured Alex Cuthbert make way.

    What do they have in response? Is the comeback on now that they've sent on the talismanic Hogg?

    I think we're in for an thrilling finale here.

  2. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Exeter 14-26 Harlequins

    Penny for the thoughts of Rob Baxter right now.

    His Exeter side are surely staring down defeat here, with a 12-point deficit to bridge and facing a Harlequins side who are absolutely pelting them every time they get the ball.

    Reigning champions they may well be, but Quins clearly didn't turn up to be intimidated.

  3. Postpublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 26 June 2021

    Exeter 14-26 Harlequins

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    “For the reigning Premiership champions, Exeter are playing mid-table rugby here.

    “The decision making is woeful and I can’t quite make out why.

    "There’s a severe lack of communication, which is so unlike them.”

  4. try

    Try: Exeter 14-26 Harlequinspublished at 44 mins

    Andre Esterhuizen, con Marcus Smith

    EsterhuizenImage source, Getty Images

    What a start from Harlequins!

    This is an absolute peach of a try, as Quins overwhelm Exeter with a succession of passes, with Joe Marchant driving toward the line before he's tackled.

    The ball is eventually worked to Andre Esterhuizen who crosses over the in the corner and Marcus Smith does well with the boot to add the extras.

  5. Postpublished at 43 mins

    Exeter 14-19 Harlequins

    Alex Cuthbert looks to have ended his Exeter Chiefs career with some sort of injury as he clutches the back of his thigh in the early stages of this second half.

    He's limping about the field and surely won't be able to carry on, here.

  6. Kick-offpublished at 40 mins

    Exeter 14-19 Harlequins

    We are back under way at Twickenham and Exeter could do with a pretty swift response here.

    Harlequins have the momentum behind them. Can they keep it that way?

  7. 'Fabulous game'published at 18:36 British Summer Time 26 June 2021

    Exeter 14-19 Harlequins

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    It certainly is Sonja!

  8. What if it's level after 80 minutes?published at 18:36 British Summer Time 26 June 2021

    HT: Exeter 14-19 Harlequins

    Harlequins might be on top at the break, but what if Exeter edge them out and it's all even after 80 minutes?

    Well, if that happens, there's a five-minute break before a period of extra time starts with two 10-minute halves.

    If it's still level after that then the winner is whichever team has scored the most tries in the game, including extra time.

    If that still doesn't separate them, then there is a place kick competition where three nominated kickers attempt to kick the ball through the posts from six designated positions on the 10 and 22-metre marks.

    (Breathes) if it's still level after six kicks to each team, it goes to sudden death.

  9. Postpublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 26 June 2021

    HT: Exeter 14-19 Harlequins

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport at Twickenham

    QuinsImage source, PA Media

    What a superb end to that half from Harlequins.

    It would have been quite easy to buckle having conceded a try and lost Marcus Smith for 10 minutes, but they regrouped superbly and out-Chiefed the Chiefs for that final part of the half.

    We have a huge 40 minutes coming up.

  10. Postpublished at 18:27 British Summer Time 26 June 2021

    HT: Exeter 14-19 Harlequins

    Paul Grayson
    Former Northampton and England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    "Harlequins have rolled the dice.

    "This is get rich or die trying from Quins. They're saying we don’t care, we came to win.

    "There have been ebbs and flows, ups and downs. It's been a sensational half of rugby."

  11. Half-timepublished at 18:25 British Summer Time 26 June 2021

    Exeter 14-19 Harlequins

    Quins celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    And that brings the first half to an end and what an opening period it's been.

    Right from the start, Harlequins looked up for this and, having weathered a storm of pressure from Exeter, they've gone in on top at the break.

    A thrilling encounter, but what will the Chiefs have to say when they return?

  12. try

    Try: Exeter 14-19 Harlequinspublished at 45 mins

    Alex Dombrandt, con Marcus Smith

    DombrandtImage source, Rex Features

    What a blow for Exeter and what a drive from Harlequins!

    Alex Dombrandt works on to some good work from Quins as he's teed up from Marcus Smith to run through the Chiefs with ease.

    Sensational stuff and the vociferous Quins support goes wild. Smith adds the extras.

  13. Postpublished at 44 mins

    Exeter 14-12 Harlequins

    Harlequins are driving to the line once again and that try has certainly put them in the ascendancy heading towards the break.

    This time, they work themselves to within just a few metres of the line and opt for a scrum after Exeter receive a warning.

    Can Quins get themselves on top before half-time?

  14. Postpublished at 40 mins

    Exeter 14-12 Harlequins

    As we rapidly approach the break, I wonder how much that post-hitting conversion attempt will come back to bite Harlequins.

    Marcus Smith has returned from his stint in the bin, by the way.

    What a half.

  15. Postpublished at 18:18 British Summer Time 26 June 2021

    Exeter 14-12 Harlequins

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    "What spirit Harlequins are showing right now!

    "That was a tremendous set drill, going for the weak side of a fast ruck, he drove his feet and it didn’t matter how many Exeter players were there."

  16. try

    Try: Exeter 14-12 Harlequinspublished at 38 mins

    Wilco Louw

    Louw tryImage source, Rex Features

    That's been coming!

    Right on half-time, Wilco Louw powers over the line with an incredible physical effort to ground the ball amid plenty of pressure from Exeter.

    Harlequins miss the chance to go level, however, as Joe Marchant's kick hits the post.

  17. Postpublished at 37 mins

    Exeter 14-7 Harlequins

    Exeter are penalised for infringing from the lineout as Harlequins try to send a grubber kick in towards the line.

    Quins get another bite at it, this time it's much better, as Exeter are eventually called to be offside.

    A scrum follows, pretty much on the verge of the line. A big moment just before the break.

  18. Postpublished at 18:11 British Summer Time 26 June 2021

    Exeter 14-7 Harlequins

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Joe SimmondsImage source, Rex Features

    “There’s going to be someone on the Exeter side saying 'hang on a minute this game is nowhere near won yet'.

    "Quins got in behind the defence and that’s all they need, a bit of space.”

  19. Postpublished at 33 mins

    Exeter 14-7 Harlequins

    Just under 10 minutes remain in the first half and Harlequins make a break as they look to catch Exeter on the counter.

    Some brilliant stuff from Quins sees them make up for their earlier error as they work the ball wide before kicking away for a lineout in a dangerous area.

    A nervous Marcus Smith watches on from the sidelines.

  20. Postpublished at 18:07 British Summer Time 26 June 2021

    Exeter 14-7 Harlequins

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport at Twickenham

    Smith yellowImage source, Rex Features

    Harlequins really need to sort their defence out on their own line.

    A yellow card was always coming with the amount of penalties they were giving up from close range.

    Exeter have a chance to make this game very tough for Quins in the next few minutes.