Exeter beat Saracens to reach play-offs and end McCall's reign

Exeter beat Saracens to reach play-offs and end McCall's reignImage source, ShutterstockImage caption, Henry Slade's 10th try of the season put Exeter in control early in the second halfByBrent PilnickBBC Sport England, AtSandy ParkPublished7 minutes ago5 CommentsThe PremExeter (8) 32Tries: Norey, Slade, Zambonin, Varney Cons: Slade 3 Pens: Slade 2Saracens (5) 12Tries: Elliott, Isiekwe Con: Farrell Exeter beat bitter rivals Saracens 32-12 to ensure a Prem play-off semi-final and end the reign of long-serving Sarries boss Mark McCall.The victory moves Exeter up to third place in the Prem, booking a semi-final at Bath next week after they beat Leicester, who drop to fourth place. Tobias Elliott's early try for Saracens and Henry Slade's penalty in reply looked as though they would be the only scores in a tense first half as Rotimi Segun had a try disallowed for the visitors. But in stoppage time, Saracens' scrum-half Charlie Bracken was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on and Max Norey went over from a cleverly-worked lineout moments later to give Chiefs the lead at the break.With Sarries still down to 14 men, Slade scored Exeter's second try as he got on the end of an excellent break early in the second half before kicking his second penalty.Italy lock Andrea Zambonin made the result safe with a try with 16 minutes left as Exeter returned to the play-offs for the first time since 2021.Nick Isiekwe went over for Saracens with eight minutes left before Exeter scrum-half Stephen Varney earned a try-scoring bonus point two minutes from the end.More to follow.Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, Max Norey's second try in three games gave Exeter a half-time leadSalary scandal unity my proudest time - McCallPublished2 days agoExeter’s Baxter ready for one last battle with Saracens’ McCallPublished1 day agoExeter: Woodburn; Brown-Bampoe, Slade, Ikitau, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Norey, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins (capt), Zambonin, Hooper, T...