Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins

A confident Exeter Chiefs team held Harlequins to nil at Sandy Park on Sunday afternoon to secure the first whitewash of the 2025/26 PREM season.

Chiefs came out of the blocks firing and buoyed by a vocal home crowd as well as strong performances from two debutant Wallabies, secured the impressive victory to take the full five points from the win.

Henry Slade made sure Chiefs were the first to score when he opted for a shot at goal with a penalty in the middle of the 22 just three minutes in, though Chiefs were dealt an early blow when starting loosehead Will Goodrick-Clarke took a hit to the shoulder and had to be replaced after 22 minutes.

The first try of the game went to fast-footed winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso before the half-hour mark. Working the ball through the tight phases on the edge of the 22, Slade called for the ball and chipped out to his England teammate on the wing. With just one man to beat, Feyi-Waboso took the feed cleanly and ran in the try which Slade converted.

Chiefs had barely returned to playing in their own half when Slade went in beneath the posts for a second home try. Harvey Skinner collected a spilt Quins ball, offloaded to Len Ikitau in support and the Wallabies star fed his new centre partner for the unchallenged run-in. Slade converted his own score to put Chiefs 17-0 up.

Having assisted Slade’s score, Skinner got one of his own before the half was through. Chipping the ball, Skinner ran onto his own kicked, kicking again for a grubber downfield. Chased the whole way by Luke Northmore, Skinner was just quick enough to get there inches ahead of the Quins centre and slam the ball down one-handed for the score. Slade added the extra two points.

The try bonus-point was secured within four minutes of the second half as Chiefs camped out in the Quins 22. Key carries from debutants Tom Hooper and Ikitau put the Exeter men on the front foot before Greg Fisilau took a flick pass on the touchline to power over. It was a tough conversion for Slade, but he slotted it cleanly for the extra two points.

Chiefs were reduced to 14 men with just shy of an hour on the clock. Replacement prop Bachuki Tchumbadze was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle on Jack Kenningham.

Quins’ Cadan Murley and Harry Browne both followed the Georgian prop into the bin, their yellow cards for cynical infringements.

The home side still managed to have the last say of the day, Slade snatching a brace score in the dying minutes. Mauling from five metres out, with bodies strewn across the line, Chiefs went for the short carries and the centre took the final pass to leap over for the fifth try of the day.

As Slade converted his own score, the full-time whistle was blown and Chiefs became the first side to nil their competition this domestic season.