Summary

  • Bath beat Leicester to secure home Prem play-off semi-final

  • Exeter win against Saracens to seal play-off place; Sarries miss out

  • Play-off semi-finals: Northampton v Leicester (Fri, 12 June); Bath v Exeter (Sat, 13 June)

  • Sale and Gloucester claim final two European Champions Cup places

  • Have your say using the yellow Get Involved button

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  1. Chiefs without Feyi-Waboso; McFarland back for Sarriespublished at 15:10 BST 6 June

    Exeter v Saracens (15:15 BST)

    Christ TshiunzaImage source, Getty Images

    Exeter are without England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso after the 23-year-old underwent surgery for a facial injury suffered last week and is replaced by Paul Brown-Bampoe.

    The only other change to Rob Baxter's starting line-up sees Christ Tshiunza come in for his final game at Sandy Park in place of Greg Fisilau, who also has a facial injury.

    Tshiunza will play at open-side flanker, with Tom Hooper switching to blind-side and Ethan Roots moving into Fisilau's slot at number eight.

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

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

    Theo McFarlandImage source, Getty Images

    Theo McFarland returns to the pack for what could be his final game in a Saracens shirt.

    The Samoa forward starts at blind-side flanker in place of Nick Isiekwe, who drops to the bench in one of two changes to the side.

    The other - in what could be Mark McCall's final game in charge - sees Rotimi Segun return on the wing after recovering from a knee injury.

    Saracens: Malins; Elliott, Tompkins, Hartley, Segun; Burke, Bracken; Mawi, George, Stree, Itoje (capt), Tizard, McFarland, Earl, Willis.

    Replacements: Dan, Carre, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Michelow, Van Zyl, Farrell, Caluori.

  2. Carreras at 10 for Bath; Chessum captains Tigerspublished at 15:09 BST 6 June

    Bath v Leicester (15:15 BST)

    Bath's Santi Carreras smiling while heading towards the try line, ball in hand.Image source, Getty Images

    In Finn Russell's absence, Santi Carreras moves to fly-half in an explosive looking back line which also includes Joe Cokanasiga, Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh and the rapid Henry Arundell.

    England's Sam Underhill will play at open-side flanker, with Josh Bayliss at blind-side, and Alfie Barbeary is the number eight.

    Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Ojomoh, Arundell; Carreras, Spencer (capt); Obano, Tuipulotu, Du Toit; Hill, Ewels, Bayliss, Underhill, Barbeary.

    Replacements: Frost, Van Wyk, Sela, Molony, Richards, Carr-Smith, Redpath, Reid.

    Second row forward Ollie Chessum captains Leicester as Australia international James O'Connor returns at fly-half.

    Izaia Perese is back for Tigers after serving a two-match ban and he takes his place on the bench alongside 20-year-old scrum-half Charlie Bemand, who could make his Prem debut.

    Leicester Tigers: Pearson; Radwan, Wand, Bailey, Hamer-Webb; O'Connor, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Blamire, Heyes; Henderson, Chessum (capt), Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.

    Replacements: Clare, Van der Flier, Hurd, Martin, Watson, Bemand, Kata, Perese.

    Leicester Tigers' Ollie Chessum in action.Image source, Shutterstock
  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:08 BST 6 June

    As ever, please get in touch with your thoughts and musings on today's matches and your team's season as a whole as the afternoon goes on.

    Has it been a big success or a bit of a let down? Are you looking forward to next season with excitement or trepidation?

    Just click the shiny yellow Get Involved button on this page to get in touch and we'll post a selection of comments over the next few hours.

  4. Russell out for final day clashpublished at 15:06 BST 6 June

    Bath v Leicester (15:15 BST)

    Bath's Finn Russell, in action, kicking for goal.Image source, Shutterstock

    If Bath are to claim that coveted home semi-final next weekend, they will have to do it without influential fly-half Finn Russell.

    The Scotland international remains unavailable for the Blue, Black and Whites with a tight calf as Argentina back Santi Carreras moves to 10 with Tom de Glanville slotting in at full-back.

  5. Champions Cup places up for grabspublished at 15:04 BST 6 June

    Battle for seventh & eighth

    George Ford looks to his rightImage source, Shutterstock

    Sale Sharks are in pole position to claim a European Champions Cup place for next season with the top eight Prem sides earning a spot in the tournament.

    They are four points clear of eighth-placed Gloucester and so a point against Bristol will guarantee them a place at the top table of European competition.

    Gloucester can secure their spot with a bonus-point win against bottom side Newcastle, but if they slip up then victory for ninth-placed Harlequins against table-toppers Northampton would see Quins overtake Gloucester.

  6. 'I think there is another level we can go to'published at 15:03 BST 6 June

    Exeter v Saracens (15:15 BST)

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent at Sandy Park

    Mark McCall smiles as he arrives at Sandy ParkImage source, Shutterstock

    On Wednesday the Rugby Union Weekly podcast took a trip to Saracens' training ground for a special episode all about the outgoing Sarries boss Mark McCall, who is standing down at the end of the season after 17 trophy-laden years at the club.

    What makes McCall so good? How will he be viewed in the pantheon of great directors of rugby? And how much does the salary cap scandal of 2019 influence his legacy?

    As well as speaking to the man himself, we heard from Ben Earl and Nick Tompkins, two senior players who know McCall better than most.

    While it could all end today for McCall, Saracens are determined for that not to be the case, and with five wins in a row they are in excellent form.

    "It's been a really enjoyable seven or eight weeks," McCall said. "You can see the confidence in the team at the moment, but there is more in us as well."

    Whenever it ends for McCall, he will go down as one of the best to ever do it.

  7. One last dance for McCall on Saracens farewell?published at 15:01 BST 6 June

    Exeter v Saracens (15:15 BST)

    Mark McCall and Maro ItojeImage source, Getty Images

    It is the end of an era at Saracens as long-serving boss Mark McCall will be moving on at the end of the season.

    As the 58-year-old reaches the end of his 17th and final season in charge he can look back on winning six Premiership titles and three Champions Cups - not a bad return.

    McCall and all associated with Sarries will be hoping that today is not his last game in charge though as his side look to get the win that will extend their season into the play-offs.

    Saracens' last couple of months has consisted of five straight wins and since their return to the top flight five years ago, they have collected more points than any other team - but only one title.

    "I have massive respect for Exeter, especially for what they have done this year. They came off a really tough season last season and to turn it around in the manner they have, you can only applaud them for that," said McCall.

    "They are a great club. There is obviously a rivalry, but we have been enjoying the last couple of months a lot and our motivation is much more internal to be honest. And I think there is another level we can go to."

  8. Chiefs aiming to extend much-improved campaignpublished at 14:57 BST 6 June

    Exeter v Saracens (15:15 BST)

    Rob BaxterImage source, Getty Images

    Exeter have enjoyed an excellent bounce back campaign after their disappointing ninth-placed finish last season.

    They stayed in the play-off hunt as the season wore on and last week delivered a crucial away win at Leicester - becoming the first team to beat the Tigers at home this season - to put themselves into the top four at the start of the final day.

    Chiefs and Sarries of course have history with the salary cap scandal which resulted in the London club's relegation coming at a time when the two sides were regularly competing against each other for trophies.

    Between them, Exeter and Saracens won every Prem title between 2015 and 2020, as well as winning four European Champions Cups.

    The teams have not quite hit the same heights since then but Chiefs boss Rob Baxter is glad to see the old rivalry back on the main stage.

    "The two of us fighting out for top four in the end of the season shows it's back on and these games are loaded and now it's up to us to take our opportunities more than Saracens take their opportunities," he said.

  9. Can Exeter ensure a play-off return?published at 14:53 BST 6 June

    Exeter v Saracens (15:15 BST)

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport at Sandy Park

    Olly Woodburn and Stephen Varney celebrate a tryImage source, Shutterstock

    It has been five years since Exeter last reached the play-offs.

    That was the 2021 Premiership final when Louis Lynagh's two late tries for Harlequins broke Exeter's hearts as they lost 40-38.

    Since then they have seen plenty of star names leave and finish a club-worst ninth place last season.

    But this year - with the addition of players including Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper, Andrea Zambonin and Stephen Varney - Exeter have recovered some of their old form.

    They know a victory or a draw will take them into the play-offs, and may even be bolstered by that Twickenham loss five years ago - Quins had ended that season in fourth place and managed to win the title against the odds.

  10. Play-off spot on the line for old foes on final daypublished at 14:51 BST 6 June

    Exeter v Saracens (15:15 BST)

    Ivan van ZylImage source, Getty Images

    Exeter head into this grudge match against their fierce rivals knowing that a win or a draw will secure their place in the top four for the first time since 2021 - and they could even move up to third place, should Leicester lose at Bath.

    However, Saracens will make the top four if they win, unless Exeter get two losing bonus points, and the Londoners fail to pick up a try-scoring bonus of their own - if the sides are level on points Saracens would go through as they will have one more win than Exeter.

    All clear? I hope so.

    Final days are always times for getting the calculators out aren't they.

  11. Parling's Tigers preparing to pouncepublished at 14:49 BST 6 June

    Bath v Leicester (15:15 BST)

    Leicester Tigers coach Geoff Parling looking on before kick-off.Image source, Shutterstock

    It has already been an impressive first year at the helm of Leicester Tigers by head coach Geoff Parling.

    In March, the former Australia forwards coach helped guide the club to their first domestic trophy in four seasons, the Prem Rugby Cup, as they sit third in the Prem standings before the final round of league fixtures.

    Parling - who won two Prem titles as a player with the club - has overseen a style of rugby which has excited Tigers fans and neutrals alike this season.

    "It's like looking at a completely different team," former Tigers wing and BBC Radio Leicester summariser Tom Varndell said.

    "They are playing with freedom; they are backing their skills. Under Geoff Parling, they've got a licence to play heads-up rugby".

    "It has been a good season so far," said Parling. "We'll decide now whether it's great. Let's find out how we are on Saturday and go from there.

    "Bath have had some close losses recently; I think they'll channel that and ramp up how they play."

  12. Holders Bath aiming to secure home semipublished at 14:48 BST 6 June

    Bath v Leicester (15:15 BST)

    Bath head coach Johann van Graan looking towards the camera before a match.Image source, Getty Images

    Holders Bath still have work to do to sew up a home semi-final next week before their clash against Leicester Tigers this afternoon.

    Johann van Graan's side start the day second and two points clear of third-placed Tigers after going down to a narrow defeat at local rivals Bristol last Friday.

    Despite potentially a nervy day ahead, Bath's South African coach has praised the Prem's competitiveness this season.

    "It's great for the neutral," said van Graan. It could come down to the final play, and this is why we coach and play. It's not about pressure, it's about enjoying the moment.

    "I'm loving it, the players are loving it. The Prem is in such a great place and we should enjoy that because it wasn't like this a few years ago".

  13. All to play for...published at 14:45 BST 6 June

    Flames shoot into the sky at Sale's groundImage source, Shutterstock

    Welcome along to our live coverage of the final day of the regular season in The Prem.

    All 10 teams kick off at 15:15 BST and the majority of them have something tangible to play for, whether it be a play-off spot or a place in the European Champions Cup next season.

    Northampton are already assured of finishing top but the remaining three play-off spots are yet to be finalised with Bath (2nd) and Leicester (3rd) facing off for the right to secure home advantage in the semi-finals.

    Old foes Exeter (4th) and Saracens (5th) face a straight shootout for the remaining spot in what promises to be a cracker, while Quins, Gloucester and Sale have their eyes on a place at Europe's top table.

    With so much on the line we should be in for a brilliantly entertaining couple of hours...