Tom Varndell
Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio Leicester

Really good compsure in the first six minutes from Tigers. They're not over-playing in their half, they're kicking the territory, the line speed and the kick-chase as well.

Really nice start.

John Lockyer
Former Exeter Chiefs captain on BBC Radio Devon

When we started, the first couple of weeks was not good for the Chiefs - we went to Glouceseter and lost, then we got hammered in the wind and the rain up at Sale. Then Exeter put it together when some of their more seasoned players became available.

They did the double over Bath which not many people do at any level, and a very good win at home against Gloucester and Sale, and then last week at Northampton which was an emphatic victory.

Some of these young men that are playing this is a massive step up for them, playing here at Mattioli Welford Road in front of a huge crowd, one few the most famous rugby grounds in the world - what more can you ask as a young man?

Tom Varndell
Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio Leicester

He's [Geoff Parling] got it spot on in terms of selection, the way we've seen the team develop their game - they're flying.

They looked so good in the semi-final and they look like a team full of confidence enjoying their rugby and there's proper strength in depth in this squad.

The atmosphere inside Mattioli Woods Welford Road is absolutely buzzing.

Here we go, then - it's wet and windy at Welford Road as referee Hamish Smales sounds his whistle and Leicester Tigers get this final under way!

Long-serving Hanro Liebenberg, who is playing his final season at Leicester, starts in the unfamiliar role of lock in a strong Tigers line-up.

Experienced Australia international James O’Connor is named among the replacements after picking up a knock in the warm-up for the Tigers’ semi-final against Bath last weekend.

The Chiefs bring in Khwezi Mona for his first start of the season, while Wales international Christ Tshiunza returns from injury.

Tighthead prop Tom Gulley – the brother of Exeter hooker Louie – is on the bench after joining the club on loan, but Jimmy Roots misses out due to a serious ear cut, which needed stitches.

Leicester Tigers: Bailey; Hamer-Webb, Wand, Woodward, Hassell-Collins, Searle, Whiteley; Van der Flier, Clare, Hurd; Wells, Liebenberg, Palmer, Reffell, Moro.

Replacements: Theobald-Thomas, Haffar, Loman, Thomas, Manz, Bemand, O’Connor, Perese.

Exeter Chiefs: Hodge; Brown-Bampoe, Batson, Rigg, Ridl, Haydon-Wood, Cairns; Burger, Dweba, Mona; Pearson, Tuima, Moloney, Worley-Brady, Vintcent.

Replacements: Heaven, Goodrick-Clarke, Gulley, Bailey, Tshiunza, Chapman, Coen, John.

Image source, Getty Images

Being better in the league can only improve your prospects of cup success – that’s the view of Exeter Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter.

The Chiefs were overwhelmed by Bath in last year’s Prem Rugby Cup final, just one of many lows during a difficult campaign in which they floundered in the Premiership, finishing ninth with only four wins all season.

But the Devon club’s significant improvement this year has taken them to fifth place in the table and Baxter told BBC Radio Devon: “I feel we are in a way better place.

“That shows the emotional energy and the vibe that surrounds the place at the moment. When you start to look forward to things, instead of being worried, it’s a total different environment.”

Despite a slow start to the Prem Rugby Cup, with two defeats in their first three games, Exeter then reeled off five straight victories to top Pool A before seeing off Northampton Saints 31-14 in a home semi-final.

Wing Campbell Ridl is also the tournament’s leading try-scorer with eight.

Image source, Getty Images

Back in the early 2000s, the Welford Road trophy cabinet was full to bursting, but new additions have been a little more infrequent in recent years.

Other than the Premiership title success of 2022, there’s been plenty of time for dust to gather – so, make no mistake, this is a final Leicester are desperately keen to win.

“This is our first home major final at Welford Road for 113 years, so it's a big event for us,” head coach Geoff Parling told BBC Radio Leicester.

“We have a big chance to go out there and show what we are about.”

While the Tigers’ European campaign has been fairly disappointing this season, they are competitive in the Prem – and even more so in this tournament, with a 100 per cent home record.

A 40-22 defeat at neighbours Northampton was their only blot on an otherwise flawless Pool B performance and they triumphed again in the Welford Road semi-final, overcoming holders Bath 46-21.

Image source, Getty Images

Since the Prem Rugby Cup was launched in 2018, no team has lifted the trophy more than once – a situation Exeter Chiefs are aiming to change this afternoon.

The Chiefs will become the first team to feature in three finals, having been crowned champions after a tense extra-time finish against London Irish in 2023 and lost out at home to Bath a year ago.

In fact, home advantage – which is, of course, with Leicester Tigers today – has only been decisive in 50 per cent of Prem Rugby Cup finals to date.

Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks triumphed on their own turf in the first two editions of the tournament seeing off Saracens and Harlequins respectively, and Gloucester repeated the feat at Kingsholm in 2024.

But familiar surroundings were not enough to make the difference for Irish in the 2023 final at Brentford – or 12 months earlier, when they missed out on the trophy after a 25-25 stalemate with Worcester Warriors due to scoring one try to their opponents’ three.

Meanwhile, Leicester’s only previous final came away from home in 2024, when they were beaten 23-13 at Gloucester.

Image source, Getty Images

Still trying to catch your breath after that whirlwind finish to the Six Nations last night?

Well, the rugby weekend is by no means done – so sit back and join us for the Prem Rugby Cup final from Welford Road, where Leicester Tigers host Exeter Chiefs.

Will Leicester pick up the trophy for the first time – or can Exeter brush aside the painful memory of losing last year’s final to Bath?

Stay here to find out. There’s only one point between these sides in the Prem table, so it promises to be a close one…