Chiefs v Saracens: The rivalry reignited

Director of rugby Rob Baxter described this Saturday’s game as “destined” as the final top four spot in the Gallagher PREM comes down to a straight shootout between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens.

A match-up that will put fire in the belly of both team’s supporters as well as inspiring the imagination of many a neutral, it will write the latest chapter in a storied history between the clubs.

The two first met on a Saturday afternoon in October 2010. Now 16 years later, they have contested three domestic finals, produced countless unforgettable moments and flooded the Prem with outstanding individual talents.

Saracens, the well-established champions and Chiefs, the Devon men once described as “the Westcountry minnows” who became established powerhouses. They both have their own stories, but there is one thing that makes them the same – unwarranted passion for the badge on their chest.

Whether it be triple centurion Jack Yeandle rumbling over at the back of a maul to score in a final, or ice-in-his-veins Henry Slade with the all-important kick to touch in a home semi-final. For the new generation, it may be Dafydd Jenkins bumping off desperate defenders to send Greg Fisilau in for a try, or Immanuel Feyi-Waboso pointing to the skies as he flies over.

Saracens have had no shortage of moments either. The Vunipola brothers dominating finals, Owen Farrell marshalling his troops or Chris Ashton departing on a high. Then there is Noah Calouri, the inspiring youngster scored a brace against Chiefs earlier this season while Tom Willis has been relentless for opposition defenders to pin down.

It isn’t just the players invested heavily. Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has long had an adversary in the form of Baxter. McCall, the man from Ulster who created a dynasty in North London and Baxter, the player turned coach who took his boyhood club to the very top and helped launch the careers of future stalwarts, including the likes of Slade, Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie. You will be hard pressed to find two men more invested in this weekend’s meeting.

The hard graft of 18 rounds of the regular season comes down to one match. Chiefs sit in fourth position on 60 points while Saracens look to hunt them down from three points behind in fifth.

The last remaining spot in the 2025/26 Prem top four will be decided at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon. Which team will write a crisp new ‘W’ next to their record in this intense, exciting and hotly contested rivalry?