Exeter stun Leicester to set up Prem play-off drama

Image source, Shutterstock Image caption, Andrea Zambonin (right) scored his first-ever try in the Prem to help Exeter Chiefs clinch victory against Leicester Tigers By Brent Pilnick BBC Sport England Published 31 May 2026, 17:45 BST Updated 20 minutes ago The Prem Leicester: (14) 26 Tries: Pearson, Cracknell, Clare Cons: Bailey Pens: Bailey 3 Exeter: (13) 35 Tries: Woodburn 2, Ikitau, Zambonin Cons: Slade 3 Pens: Slade 3 Andrea Zambonin's late try helped to lift Exeter Chiefs back into the Prem play-off places as they won 35-26 against third-placed Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Olly Woodburn's early try was cancelled out by Leicester debutant George Pearson as Orlando Bailey kicked three first-half penalties to Henry Slade's two. Len Ikitau's try put Exeter in front soon after the break before he set up Woodburn for his second score 11 minutes later. Woodburn was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on with 22 minutes left as the hosts upped the pressure and Olly Cracknell forced his way over for the Tigers. Leicester continued to control the territory and were rewarded when Charlie Clare put his side a point in front with 11 minutes to go. But four minutes later Zambonin went over in the left corner for Exeter to secure a try-scoring bonus point and a vital win in the play-off shake-up. Exeter's win - a first home defeat for Leicester since March 2025 - meant they move back into fourth place in the Prem, three points clear of fifth-placed Saracens, who they host in their final regular season game on Saturday. Henry Slade kicked a late penalty to deny Leicester a losing bonus point but they remain in third place, two points off second-placed Bath and three in front of Exeter, with a showdown at Bath for home advantage in the play-offs next weekend. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Veteran Exeter Chiefs back Olly Woodburn took his try tally to eight for the season Having seen Saracens and Bristol win on Saturday, Exeter knew they had to win at Leicester for the first time since December 2020 if they were to return to the top four. Bailey's early penalty was cancelled out as Exeter's England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso produced a scintillating run from deep inside his own half to glide past a couple of home tacklers before feeding Woodburn 22 metres out as the veteran back went in under the posts. Slade added a penalty for Exeter before Pearson scored his first Prem try after 14 minutes when Bailey's perfectly weighted kick sat up for the full-back to race in down the left flank. Adam Radwan had a try ruled out on the half-hour mark after replays could not conclusively prove that he had grounded the ball but Bailey went on to kick a second penalty after a spell of pressure from the hosts. Slade kicked his second penalty seven minutes from the break, while Bailey responded with a penalty with the final play of the half as the Tigers again pushed for a try before the break. Shortly after the restart Exeter went back in fr