Rugby fans across the UK and Ireland are gearing up for a weekend packed with high-stakes clashes and dramatic narratives, as two major showdowns are set to unfold: the PREM Rugby Cup final between Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers, and the Six Nations decider where Ireland welcomes Scotland to Dublin, with the Triple Crown and possibly the Championship on the line. Both matches promise not only silverware but also the kind of tension and excitement that only rugby at its best can deliver.
At Welford Road on March 15, 2026, Exeter Chiefs will attempt to make history by becoming the first club to win the PREM Rugby Cup twice since the competition began in the 2018/19 season. The Chiefs, who lifted the trophy in 2023 but fell to Bath in last year’s final, face a formidable Leicester Tigers side currently sitting fourth in the Gallagher Premiership and holding the top seed in this year’s cup competition. Director of Rugby Rob Baxter has opted for a blend of youth and experience in his squad selection, hoping to find the right formula for success in this pivotal encounter.
“There is a little bit of a different feeling around a final week,” Baxter remarked ahead of the big day. “We’ve felt that in training this week. Watching the boys run around with a great deal of energy, they’ve got smiles on their faces at the right time but they’re also judging well when they have to lock in at the right time. The environment has felt quite vibrant, which is especially exciting for a number of the younger guys who have never been in games like this before. It’s going to be an interesting game, but hopefully it brings out the best in us at Leicester on Sunday.”
Among the notable selections, Tom Gulley—brought in on loan for the final—will begin on the bench, while South African prop Khwezi Mona is set for his first start of the 2026 season after recovering from injury. The Chiefs also welcome back Wales international Christ Tshiunza, who is named among the replacements. Leadership on the field will come from Lewis Pearson, who captains the side and is eager to be the one lifting the trophy at the end of the contest.
“Leicester are a competitive team, they’re fourth in the Gallagher PREM and top seed in this competition. Without doubt, they’ve got a consistent group which is something we’ve challenged ourselves to be this season,” Baxter continued. “I was particularly impressed watching them last weekend against Bath Rugby. They moved the ball well, challenged Bath with the width of their early passes in attack and that’s something that we’ll have to be ready for. That kind of movement they’re getting into the game to create challenges defensively looks very good. Traditionally, Leicester have always had a strong set-piece and that looks to be the case again. So, I think they’re piecing a lot of their game together really well and they’re going to be a challenge across the rest of the season, not just in this final.”
The Chiefs’ lineup also sees Campbell Ridl reclaim his starting spot on the wing, with Paul Brown-Bampoe joining him and Josh Hodge rounding out the back three at full-back. The match will be broadcast live on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of the action as these two sides battle for the first major trophy of the English rugby season.
Meanwhile, just across the Irish Sea, all eyes are on Dublin as Ireland and Scotland prepare for a Six Nations showdown with the Triple Crown—and potentially the Championship—at stake. Both sides have already dispatched England and Wales in the 2026 tournament, placing themselves on the brink of glory. A win for either team, combined with a French stumble against England, could see the victors crowned champions. But even without the Championship, the Triple Crown is guaranteed to go to one of these Celtic rivals.
Officiating this crucial encounter is Luke Pearce, one of rugby’s most respected referees. Born in Pontypool, Wales, and raised in Exeter, Pearce’s journey through the refereeing ranks has been nothing short of meteoric. He joined the Devon Referee Society in 2005 at just 16 years old and quickly made a name for himself, taking charge of his first match that September. By age 21, he was overseeing RFU Championship fixtures, and in 2009, he became the youngest referee ever promoted to the RFU National panel.
Pearce’s Premiership debut came in 2011, and he soon found himself on the international stage, officiating the European Nations Cup clash between Romania and Russia in 2013. His Six Nations journey began as an assistant referee for the Italy versus Scotland match, and he played a key role during Ireland’s historic first victory over New Zealand. With appearances at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, Pearce has built a reputation for calm authority and a willingness to engage with players—sometimes with viral results.
In 2021, Pearce became an internet sensation after marching Saracens forward Billy Vunipola backwards for backchat—a moment that drew both approval and introspection. “He got me, I bit,” Pearce admitted on the Rugby Pod. “I came off that pitch and I thought, ‘Luke, that is not your style. That is not your personality’. You’re there to be the ref. Of course you’re there to not take the s**t if someone is abusive. But there’s a fine balance between how you deal with people and making them look stupid and coming out of your style. I went into Sarries a couple of months ago for a training session. I spent the day there - just a couple of scrums, couple of lineouts, a bit of game stuff and I just apologised. Not to apologise for my behaviour, because Billy was a little bit rude to me. But I said ‘mate, that’s not my style, I’m sorry if it came across that way, that’s not how I operate’.”
Pearce is no stranger to the physical side of rugby, either. Earlier in the 2025-2026 Premiership season, he was knocked down by South African lock Irne Herbst during a Harlequins versus Saracens match. Pearce bounced back quickly, sharing a laugh with players and later posting on social media: “Haven’t taken a hit like this since my Exeter Saracens days. Fair play to @irneherbst4 for making sure I was ok. On to next week.”
With so much at stake in both the PREM Rugby Cup final and the Six Nations decider, the rugby world is holding its breath. Will Exeter Chiefs carve out a new chapter of cup history, or will Leicester Tigers affirm their status as the top seed? And in Dublin, will Ireland or Scotland seize the Triple Crown, or perhaps even the Championship, under the watchful eye of Luke Pearce? One thing’s for certain: rugby fans are in for a thrilling weekend where every pass, tackle, and decision could shape the destiny of these storied competitions.