Bath move to top of Prem after Finn Russell‑led 40-34 win over Exeter at the Rec
Bath beat Exeter Chiefs 40-34 at the Rec in a Prem Rugby West Country derby on 2 October 2026, a match that produced 11 tries and saw Finn Russell play a central role. The hosts overcame a second-half comeback by Exeter to secure victory in a match that swung repeatedly in momentum.
Bath scored six tries — Cam Redpath, Dan du Preez, Bernard van der Linde, Ted Hill and Finn Russell plus a penalty try — and Russell added four conversions. Exeter’s try scorers were Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso (two), Jack Yeandle, Josh Iosefa‑Scott and Stephen Varney; Henry Slade converted three and Harvey Skinner kicked a late penalty. Exeter trailed 26-10 at the interval but rallied to lead 33-31 midway through the second half.
The hosts opened the scoring when Cam Redpath intercepted a Harvey Skinner pass and ran some 50 metres to score, and shortly afterwards Bernard van der Linde slipped through a gap in Exeter’s defence for an individual try; Russell converted both to make it 14-0 after a quarter. Bath’s third try arrived when Van der Linde and Ewan Richards created space for Dan du Preez to force his way over from close range, but Bath then failed to deal with the kick‑off and Jack Yeandle finished from a driving lineout to keep Exeter in the contest.
As the half drew to a close Bath put sustained pressure on Exeter and Russell dummyed his way over for what was described as the bonus‑point try, converting to leave the hosts 26-10 ahead at the interval. Exeter started the second half strongly, with Josh Iosefa‑Scott crashing over from close range before Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso broke tackles to score; Slade converted both and the gap was reduced to two points.
Exeter then moved ahead for the first time when Will Butt created space that allowed Feyi‑Waboso an easy run‑in for a try that put the visitors in front. The match turned decisively when scrum‑half Stephen Varney was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, leading to a penalty try award and, in Varney’s absence, Ted Hill going over for Bath.
Henry Slade missed a penalty attempt and Harvey Skinner subsequently took over goal‑kicking duties for Exeter, his successful kick late on ensuring the Chiefs collected two bonus points from the fixture. Russell’s kicking and Bath’s responses at key moments ultimately secured the home victory.
The win took Bath to the top of the Prem while Exeter left the Rec with two bonus points from the match.