Overview
- Northampton won 35-28 at Exeter as Fin Smith scored in the 80th minute after Saturday’s back-and-forth match at Sandy Park.
- Exeter had drawn level at 28-28 through Paul Brown-Bampoe’s charge-down try in the 77th minute before Smith’s finish decided it.
- The result put Saints one point clear at the top of the Premiership table with five regular-season matches to go.
- Exeter earned two bonus points in defeat and stayed fourth, four points ahead of Bristol with five rounds remaining.
- Rob Baxter said hooker Jack Yeandle and full-back Olly Woodburn suffered injuries that will keep them out for at least a week or two as Chiefs prepare for a European semi-final in two weeks.