Bath Rugby fans at the Recreation Ground witnessed a dramatic Premiership Rugby showdown on January 3, 2026, as their side edged out Exeter Chiefs 33-26 in a contest that had just about everything: early controversy, a storming comeback, and a last-gasp winner that left spectators breathless. It was a match where fortunes swung wildly, and both teams showed why they’re jostling for a place among the league’s elite.
Right from the opening whistle, the game took an explosive turn. Just two minutes in, Exeter winger Campbell Ridl was shown a 20-minute red card for a dangerous tackle on Bath’s Henry Arundell. The incident, which saw Arundell land awkwardly on his chin, left the Chiefs reeling and a man down almost immediately. Referee Luke Pearce didn’t hesitate with the decision, and Bath wasted no time capitalizing on their numerical advantage.
Beno Obano opened the scoring for Bath, crashing over the line after some relentless forward pressure. Finn Russell, Bath’s reliable fly-half, slotted the conversion with ease. The home side’s momentum only grew, as number eight Alfie Barbeary powered his way through tacklers to double the lead. Russell’s clever playmaking—feinting to go for touch but instead chipping in-field—caught Exeter’s defense off guard and set up Barbeary’s try, much to the delight of the Bath faithful.
Bath’s attack was relentless in the opening stages. Santiago Carreras, making his mark in his first Premiership start for the club, finished off a flowing move down the wing to score Bath’s third try, with Louie Hennessey—on as a temporary replacement for Arundell—providing the assist. Russell’s boot kept the scoreboard ticking, and when Ben Spencer set up Ollie Lawrence for Bath’s bonus-point fourth try on his 50th appearance, the Chiefs found themselves staring at a daunting 26-0 deficit before even returning to full strength.
But if there’s one thing Exeter have shown this season, it’s resilience. Rob Baxter’s men didn’t fold. Instead, they clawed their way back into the contest before halftime. A powerful driving maul saw hooker Joseph Dweba muscle over for Exeter’s first try, with Henry Slade nailing the difficult conversion from out wide. The Chiefs kept the pressure on, and a pinpoint kick from Slade set up a line-out deep in Bath territory. The ball was worked wide to Ollie Woodburn, who finished expertly in the corner. Slade’s second conversion narrowed the halftime gap to 26-14, injecting new life into the visitors.
The second half saw Bath initially regain their composure and even cross the try line through captain Ben Spencer, only for the score to be ruled out by the TMO for obstruction—a critical moment that kept Exeter in the hunt. The Chiefs, emboldened by their first-half fightback, began to dominate possession and territory. Greg Fisilau, benefiting from relentless forward carries, powered over the line to bring Exeter within a converted try. Slade’s conversion attempt drifted wide, but the Chiefs were now within striking distance.
With just minutes left on the clock, Exeter completed their astonishing comeback. A series of short, punishing phases near the Bath line eventually saw Immanuel Feyi-Waboso dive over in the corner for the bonus-point try. The pressure was on Slade to tie the game—and he delivered, splitting the uprights from a difficult angle to level the score at 26-26. Suddenly, the unthinkable was on: could Exeter snatch a famous win after being four tries down?
Bath, however, weren’t about to let victory slip away on home soil. The final minutes were a masterclass in composure and patience. After regaining possession from the kickoff, Bath launched a relentless 38-phase attack deep in Exeter territory. The Chiefs’ defense, battered but unbowed, repelled wave after wave of Bath runners. But with the clock in the red, replacement Arthur Green found just enough space to crash over under the posts, sending the home crowd into raptures. Russell’s fourth conversion sealed the 33-26 win, and Bath’s players erupted in celebration as Exeter’s comeback hopes were dashed at the death.
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan was full of praise for his side’s opening salvo and their nerve at the finish. “That first 28 minutes, in terms of quality, that’s as well as we’ve played,” van Graan reflected. “We had an opportunity on 31-14, try disallowed—the right call made by Luke Pearce—but they keep fighting back. What I’m most pleased about is we got the ball back from the kick-off and kept the ball for 38 phases and scored right next to the sticks. That’s how you want to finish a game. A high-quality game by two teams and very glad to get the five points.”
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter, meanwhile, drew on a cinematic metaphor to describe the heartbreak of coming so close. “It was like watching ‘The Great Escape’. I’m going to watch the game again tonight and know Steve McQueen isn’t going to get over the barbed wire, but I’m still going to watch it. I’m going to be watching those 30-odd pick and goes at the end going, ‘someone’s going to drop it in a minute’, and I know they don’t but I’m still going to have to watch it and that’s how to best describe that game. It was compelling viewing but we haven’t quite got there in the end.”
For Bath, this was their seventh Premiership win of the season, moving them two points clear of Exeter in the ultra-competitive top four. The result not only boosts Bath’s playoff ambitions but also sends a message to the rest of the league about their ability to handle adversity and close out tight games. Exeter, despite the loss, earned two crucial bonus points—one for scoring four tries and another for losing by fewer than seven points—ensuring they remain firmly in the playoff picture.
Both teams fielded strong lineups, with Bath’s backline featuring Carreras, Arundell, Lawrence, Redpath, and Muir, and Exeter rolling out Woodburn, Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Rigg, and Ridl. Notably, Bath’s Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi made his Premiership debut, and Exeter’s Varney was forced off with an injury in the second half. The match was officiated by Luke Pearce, who kept a firm grip on proceedings throughout.
As the Premiership season heats up, this encounter will be remembered as one of the year’s most gripping contests—a testament to the league’s competitiveness and the never-say-die spirit of both Bath and Exeter. With the playoff race intensifying, every point counts, and both teams left the Rec knowing they’d played their part in a genuine rugby thriller.