Chiefs players ready to soak up every moment of the Final weekend

The grandest stage, the 2026 Gallagher PREM Final, beckons for Exeter Chiefs this weekend and Rob Baxter’s men are fully planning to take in every moment of the day.

“I played in all the finals we’ve been in, and you kind of take it for granted,” Olly Woodburn said earlier this week.

The Chiefs centurion has been an Exeter man since 2015, experiencing domestic and European triumphs in 2017 and 2020. This weekend will mark the 31-year-old’s seventh Prem final.

He continued: “This time around, it’s been six years since we played in one, so I’m going to soak up every moment of it and make the most of every opportunity I get. It means a lot to be back here.”

In complete contrast to the full-back, 21-year-old winger Campbell Ridl has broken through with cantering performances this season. Ridl now earns the right to feature in his first league final.

He said: “As you can see, these guys [Woodburn and Scott Sio], it means a lot to them, and it’s my first proper season so it means so much to me. It’s been such an unreal season. I’m really happy with where all the boys are. Hopefully we can top that with a little trophy.”

While he has never featured in the Prem finale, Sio is no stranger to the big stage. A former Wallabies international, who featured in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, the prop has been providing assurance and advice to his younger teammates coming into the occasion.

Sio said: “I’ve been on the losing end of the stick in big games, so anything I can do to keep the boys ticking over and in the best place they can be on the weekend, I’ll do.

“Every player has their own personality and a different approach to the way they prepare, so I think being relaxed is a huge one for the younger boys to deploy. For me, it’s about giving them the option to be able to come and talk to you, rather than going up and sort of imposing yourself on them.

“A lot of these boys have worked really hard to give themselves the opportunity to play in the final, so they just need to keep doing what they’re doing. It’s the reason they’ve put themselves here.”

One of the beating hearts of the Chiefs team, Saturday will mark the first time that Dafydd Jenkins has captained Exeter in a Prem final. A proven test player on the international stage with Wales, the 23-year-old is once more being driven by a want to give his very best to his squad.

He said: “It’s definitely the biggest game I’ve been involved in. Everything is on the line. I’m really excited to see where I am at that level, and where this team is at that level.

“From day one of pre-season, we set out to win the Prem and we still haven’t done that yet. We’re only in the final. I’m obviously extremely proud of the group, of where we’ve come from through the adversity of last season. I think we knew the potential we had in this group.

“I rely on every one of my teammates to do their job and perform. Of course, the experience of Sladey [Henry Slade], Woody [Olly Woodburn], Scotty [Sio] and Harv [Harvey Skinner], we all know we can lean on each other. I think that’s why we’ve been such a great team this season.”

Every player is a cog in the overall machine that is the Chiefs’ matchday 23, but Jenkins’ direct right-hand man this season has been Andrea Zambonin. The towering Italian has proven to be one of Baxter’s most savvy signings for the season and has started 14 Prem games in the second row with Jenkins.

The Azzuri forward is thoroughly enjoying the culmination of his first season in Devon.

He said: “It’s hard not to appreciate a person like Dafydd. All his hard work he commits to every game. Honestly, you look at him and think, ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’ So, he makes everybody work harder. I think that’s why the group is so tight, because everybody wants to do better.

“Everyone has been so welcoming since I arrived, right from day one. They make me feel like part of the family and I feel like I’ve been around this team for a long time already.”

Channelling that bond and emotional energy is an element Baxter has identified as being key in trying to turn the tide of the game in Chiefs’ favor this weekend. With a trophy on the line, the Exeter men could yet sign off 2025/26 on a high.