Summary

Send us your views

  1. 'Carreras is one of the best out there'published at 15:09 BST 13 June

    Bath 0-0 Exeter

    Alex Cuthbert
    Former Wales and Exeter wing on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Exeter have got to be really on the money in terms of any advances. Santi Carreras is one of the best out there.

  2. Postpublished at 5 mins

    Bath 0-0 Exeter

    A first charge for the rampaging Bath number eight Alfie Barbeary gets the crowd going again.

    A few kicks back and forth before Bath are awarded a penalty by referee Christophe Ridley.

    Scrum-half Ben Spencer on kicking duty in the absence of Finn Russell and Bath have a platform to attack from the line-out.

    Ben Spencer of Bath Rugby kicks aheadImage source, Shutterstock
  3. 'Perfect conditions'published at 15:07 BST 13 June

    Bath 0-0 Exeter

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The conditions are perfect simply unbeatable conditions and the pitch looks in fine nick.

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:06 BST 13 June

    Use yellow button

    I was there when Exeter snuck a win at the Rec in November 2021 with a late Simmonds try. Hoping for a different outcome today! COYB!

    Joseph, Newport

  5. 'What a pity'published at 15:06 BST 13 June

    Bath 0-0 Exeter

    John Lockyer
    Former Exeter Chiefs captain on BBC Radio Devon

    Exeter won the line-out with a beautiful throw from Max Norey. Campbell Ridl, unfortunately, was denied the try.

    What a pity that was disallowed. I'm sure the referee and touch judge were right.

  6. Disallowed trypublished at 3 mins

    Bath 0-0 Exeter

    Exeter are over in the corner!

    But it won't count.

    It's a fairly clear forward pass to winger Campbell Ridl who has to reach out in front of him to catch before going over.

    Good attacking intent from the visitors though who look confident.

  7. Postpublished at 2 mins

    Bath 0-0 Exeter

    A roar from the home faithful as Bath get ball in hand for the first time and look to attack.

    But the home team are stopped in their tracks by a Paul Brown-Bampoe turnover for the Chiefs.

    Henry Slade, outstanding last week against Saracens, kicks into Bath territory.

  8. Kick-offpublished at 15:01 BST 13 June

    Bath 0-0 Exeter

    With The Rec looking an absolute picture in the bright summer sunshine on the banks of the River Avon, we're under way.

    Who will be kicking-off against Saints at Twickenham this time next week?

  9. Postpublished at 14:59 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    Here come the players.

    It's almost time...

  10. 'I love this setting'published at 14:58 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    Nigel Walrond
    BBC Radio Devon commentator

    The Bath players received a rapturous round of applause from the home fans during the warm-up.

    The Exeter fans have all packed in to the north terrace. They seem to have come with their only flags, because there are a lot of Chiefs flags flying.

    A lot of supporters have made the journey. Ticket prices were pretty hefty but, even if Chiefs lose, you're going to have a great evening out in Bath.

    Ignoring the very basic facilities, I love this setting. To look at the fantastic architecture and buildings, it's a very fitting place for a Prem semi-final.

  11. 'It's going to be absolutely amazing'published at 14:58 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    John Lockyer
    Former Exeter Chiefs captain on BBC Radio Devon

    Finn Russell is a world-class player and a wonderful kicker. He will be missed, but Santiago Carreras is the outstanding player for Argentina and a brilliant signing from Gloucester last year.

    He could set the place alight just as well. I don't think Finn Russell is going to be a massive miss to Bath.

    What we've got to see is how well Exeter can cope with 15 Bath players, because they're all superstars. There are so many internationals on each side that it's going to be an absolutely amazing game.

    It's going to be expansive because of these conditions. There'll be a lot of open rugby and a bit of loose ball flying around.

    Exeter, with Greg Fisilau back, might just have the edge, there.

  12. Postpublished at 14:57 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    Bath fan with her Tom dunn earsImage source, Shutterstock

    Forget flags, forget scarves. What better way to show your affection to Bath's record breaking appearance maker Tom Dunn than by wearing a pair of his bloodied ears this afternoon?

    Plenty of Bath fans are sporting the new accessory in the stands as the seats fill up before kick-off.

  13. TUNE IN!published at 14:56 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    You can listen to all the action from the Recreation Ground today on BBC Radio 5 Live.

    We also have local commentary options from BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Devon.

    Click the 'Watch & listen' tab at the top of the page to choose your preferred commentary or head over to BBC Sounds to listen.

  14. 'Russell's absence changes Bath's attacking rhythm'published at 14:55 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    Martin Haag
    Former Bath lock and coach on BBC Radio Bristol

    With Finn Russell out I think it changes Bath's attacking rhythm. He's a magician, he's world class, but I think the thing for Bath today is that they've invested heavily in the squad, they've bought in not just a world class 15 but also probably a world class bench.

    So, Santi Carreras comes in at 10 is probably a big focus and it's going to be really important for him to just keep Bath in the right areas and not force things too early. We know he can run with the ball but he's going to be playing against a top class defence in Exeter today.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:54 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    Are Bath about to reach a third consecutive final or will Exeter book a trip to Twickenham by winning their first-ever away semi-final?

    We want to know how you see this tantalising west/south-west encounter playing out.

    Let us know your thoughts by tapping on the yellow Get Involved button at the side of this page.

  16. Sizzling Saints beat Tigers in derby classicpublished at 14:53 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    George FurbankImage source, Getty Images

    The winner of today's contest will meet Northampton Saints in next Saturday's final at Twickenham, which kicks-off at 15:00 BST.

    Tom Litchfield scored a first-half hat-trick and George Furbank crossed twice on his Franklin's Gardens farewell as Saints beat Leicester 45-31 in a rip-roaring East Midlands derby on Friday night.

    Whoever makes it through today will have to work out a way of stopping that stupendous Saints attack which has scored the most points, most tries, and has the highest number of metres gained of any side this season.

  17. Rejuvenated Exeter eyeing a trip to Twickenhampublished at 14:50 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    Joseph DwebaImage source, Getty Images

    If you had told Exeter fans this time last year that they would be in a play-off semi-final then they would likely have snapped your hand off.

    It has been an altogether more uplifting season for the Chiefs after the struggles of the last campaign. Heading into the final stretch they were among several teams that could make their way into the top four.

    A home win over Bath, an away victory at Leicester and last week's Henry Slade-inspired success over old foes Saracens ensured it was Exeter who made it into the semi-finals.

    After such a startling turnaround in 12 months, have the Chiefs got it in them to make this season even more memorable with a trip to Twickenham next weekend?

  18. Departing Du Toit can be Bath's game-changerpublished at 14:48 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    Thomas du ToitImage source, Shutterstock

    Bath finished second in the Prem behind Northampton Saints, with those two leading the way throughout the campaign.

    With their strength in depth clear for all to see, Bath have been an impressive watch throughout the season domestically and in Europe.

    However, May wasn't their best month as they exited the Champions Cup in the semi-finals to eventual winners Bordeaux and lost to Exeter and Bristol in the league.

    They might have been playing Leicester today had Orlando Bailey landed a late conversion which would have sent the Tigers third, but his miss gave Bath a narrow victory in a game in which prop Thomas du Toit underlined his importance to his side with a hat-trick.

    The South African is leaving Bath to return to his home country at the end of this season and the popular figure will want to sign off in style.

  19. 'Russell wasn't fit enough', says Van Graanpublished at 14:46 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    Johann van Graan (left) looking to his right talking to Finn Russell on the pitch before kick-offImage source, Shutterstock

    Finn Russell did a bit of training on Tuesday and Thursday but "ultimately wasn't fit enough to play", said head of rugby Johann van Graan.

    Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Van Graan added that flanker Guy Pepper also did not pass the fitness test for this afternoon's match.

    "They're two very important players for us, but it's next man up," he said. "That's why we've got a squad and that's why we've always backed our squad."

    Argentine international Santiago Carreras steps up into the squad at fly-half again today, having typically played at full-back this season.

    "That's why we signed him and we've got some very good players at this club," said Van Graan.

    "Ciaran Donoghue's another one. Max Ojomoh's played 10 this season and so has Tom de Glanville.

    "We can only handle the cards that are given to us and, from a squad point of view, we just go next one up."

  20. Team news - Chiefs make one changepublished at 14:44 BST 13 June

    Bath v Exeter (15:00 BST)

    A graphic of the Exeter rugby union teamImage source, Opta/Getty Images

    Exeter makes one change from the side that beat Saracens 32-12 last week to secure third place in the Prem.

    Greg Fisilau returns at number eight after recovering from a facial injury and replaces Ethan Roots, who is going through his return to play protocols following a head knock last week.

    The Chiefs are still without England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is likely to miss the rest of the domestic season after surgery on a facial injury.

    It means wingers Paul Brown-Bampoe and Campbell Ridl keep their spots, with experienced former Bath player Olly Woodburn at full-back.

    Australia centre Len Ikitau continues his impressive partnership with in-form England star Henry Slade.

    Defeat for Exeter would end Ikitau's time at the Devon club, as he will return to Australia ahead of the World Cup.

    Exeter: Woodburn; Brown-Bampoe, Slade, Ikitau, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Norey, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins (capt), Zambonin, Hoope, Tshiunza, Fisilau.

    Replacements: Dweba, Burger, Tchumbadze, Tuima, Vintcent, Cairns, Wimbush, Hammersley.