Exeter stun Leicester to set up Prem play-off drama

Exeter stun Leicester to set up Prem play-off dramaImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Veteran Exeter Chiefs back Olly Woodburn took his try tally to eight for the seasonByBrent PilnickBBC Sport EnglandPublished9 minutes ago7 CommentsThe PremLeicester: (14) 26Tries: Pearson, Cracknell, Clare Cons: Bailey Pens: Bailey 3Exeter: (13) 35Tries: Woodburn 2, Ikitau, Zambonin Cons: Slade 3 Pens: Slade 3Exeter Chiefs moved back into the Prem play-off places as they left it late to win 35-26 against third-placed Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.Olly Woodburn's early try was cancelled out by Leicester debutant George Pearson as Orlando Bailey kicked three first-half penalties to Henry Slade's two. Len Ikitau's try put Exeter in front soon after the break before he set up Woodburn for his second score 11 minutes later.Woodburn was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on with 22 minutes left as the hosts upped the pressure and Olly Cracknell forced his way over for the Tigers.Leicester continued to control the territory and were rewarded when Charlie Clare put his side a point in front with 11 minutes to go. But four minutes later Andrea Zambonin went over in the left corner for Exeter to secure a try-scoring bonus point and a vital win in the play-off shake-up.Exeter's win - a first home defeat for Leicester since March 2025 - means they move back into fourth place in the Prem, three points clear of fifth-placed Saracens, who they host in their final regular season game next weekend. Henry Slade kicked a late penalty to deny Leicester a losing bonus point but they remain in third place, two points off second-placed Bath and three in front of Exeter, with a showdown at Bath for home advantage in the play-offs on Saturday.More to follow.Leicester: Pearson; Radwan, Wand, Bailey, Hassell-Collins; Titcombe, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Blamire, Heyes, Martin, Chessum (c), Liebenberg, Reffell, Moro.Replacements: Clare, Van der Flier, Hurd, Henderson,...