Exeter power past Saracens to book playoff semi-final spot as McCall era comes to an end

• Prem Rugby: Exeter 32-12 Saracens

• Mark McCall’s 15-year Sarries tenure comes to an end

Not since 2021 have Exeter finished in the Prem top four, hence the heartfelt Devon roar at the final whistle. To beat their old rivals Saracens to a playoff place made this result all the sweeter for the hosts, if not for their downcast, deflated visitors. It will be the Chiefs who progress to the semi-final stage where they will meet Bath at the Rec.

In doing so, they also officially drew the curtains on Mark McCall’s 15-year tenure in charge of Sarries. This is absolutely not how the Ulsterman or his players wanted it to end but, in the first half at least, this was exactly McCall’s type of game: hard, unforgiving and intense. Give or take the salary cap saga, he will leave behind a serious body of work and big shoes to fill.