Premiership: Saracens 18-20 Exeter Chiefs

Ian Whitten's second-half try for Exeter proved to be a key turning point in this game

Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs edged a thriller to give European Champions Cup holders Saracens a first home league loss since March 2016.

It took Moray Low's late score to drag the Chiefs in front with just minutes left on the clock, after Ian Whitten's try had given the visitors a foothold.

Saracens had dominated up to that point, with first-half tries from Alex Goode and Schalk Brits.

However, Marcelo Bosch's penalty provided their only second-half points.

Gareth Steenson's reliable boot had kept Exeter in the contest before their late flurry.

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The loss - the north London club's first on home soil in the Premiership since Northampton two seasons ago - compounded a tough day as talismanic hooker Brits was withdrawn at half-time on a stretcher and prop Richard Barrington was ruled out of much of the game after failing a head injury assessment.

Although stars such as Owen Farrell, Henry Slade and Mako Vunipola were missing from both teams, there was still plenty of stardust on the field for this meeting of the Premiership holders and two-time European champions.

Mark McCall's side looked comfortable during the first-half, responding immediately to Steenson's early penalty with an impressive short-side try from Alex Goode that was followed swiftly by Brits' close-range effort.

Ben Spencer knocked over a conversion and a penalty to make it a 12-point lead, but Rob Baxter's half-time grilling had an effect after the break as the Chiefs ramped up the pressure on the Saracens line.

Having been held out, Chiefs finally cracked the defence as Whitten scored after a line break and, despite a Bosch penalty, momentum had swung the visitors' way.

Low's crash over and subsequent conversion from the reliable Steenson turned the scoreboard on its head as the clock ticked down and despite a late wave of pressure from Sarries it was enough to secure the points.

Exeter are now five points ahead of Saracens, who suffered a second consecutive league defeat, in the Premiership table.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall:

"It was a close game which was decided by small margins. They played very well in the last 20 minutes and starved us of possession.

"We couldn't get a foothold in the game. Every season has got these periods and in the last eight or nine years we have been good at keeping them short.

"We have a big game away to Harlequins next week and welcome some players back."

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon:

"The second half was all about character, that is the most important quality to have in a rugby side.

"We weren't at our best in the opening 20 minutes. Saracens played well. They did what they are good at which was to put us under pressure, and under pressure we gave away pens, got that yellow card, gave away field position and points.

"After that start, for us to get back in looking like a losing bonus point was a certainty late on and then fight back to win the game - those are pleasing aspects. In the end it would have been disappointing to have lost here today because a lot of what we did after that opening period stood up really well."

Saracens: Goode; Earle, Bosch, Barritt (capt), Wyles; Malins, Spencer; Barrington, Brits, Koch, Skelton, Kruis, Clark, Burger, Wray.

Replacements: Tolofua, Thompson-Stringer, Figallo, Flanagan, Earl, Wrigglesworth, Tompkins, Ellery.

Exeter: Dollman; Turner, Whitten, Hill, Woodburn; Steenson, White; Moon, Yeandle (capt), Holmes, Lees, Hill, Armand, Kvesic, Waldrom.

Replacements: Malton, Hepburn, Low, Salmon, Skinner, Chudley, Simmonds, Short.