Early Christmas present for Chiefs fans

Santa Claus isn’t due for another 24 hours yet, but Christmas certainly came early for Exeter Chiefs as they extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership with victory at Northampton Saints.

Jack Yeandle’s try - with the very last play of the match - ensured it was rich rewards for Rob Baxter’s side as they emerged with another maximum haul from their efforts at Franklin’s Gardens.

The hooker’s late touchdown came after team-mates Will Chudley, Sam Simmonds and Thomas Waldrom had earlier found their way over the whitewash for the defending champions.

Gareth Steenson and Joe Simmonds weighed in with the remaining points for the Devonians, who will now be looking to wrap up what has been a memorable 2017 with victory over Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park on New Year’s Eve.

Returning to top flight action after a fortnight of European Champions Cup action, the Chiefs arrived in the East Midlands looking to not only re-affirm their position at the top of the table, but inflict further misery on the Saints, who had won just once in their last ten fixtures.

Ahead of kick-off, Baxter made a handful of changes to his side from that which took to the field in Dublin the previous week. Into the pack came Harry Williams, Jonny Hill and Dave Ewers, while behind Chudley and Sam Hill were also included from the outset.

For Ewers and Chudley it marked first Premiership starts of the season, while Hill’s inclusion meant Henry Slade was repositioned into the full-back role with Phil Dollman and Lachie Turner ruled out through injury.

The Saints, with interim head coach Alan Dickens in charge for the first time since the axing of Jim Mallinder, welcomed back England trio Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Luther Burrell into their starting XV, having sat out last weekend’s European defeat at the Ospreys.

Saints 14 Chiefs 35

For the full match report go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/saints-14-chiefs-35