Northampton Saints have won their second title in three seasons after beating Exeter Chiefs 26-17 in the PREM final at Twickenham.
George Furbank enjoyed the perfect ending before his move to Harlequins, but who should be picking up more praise? How did Henry Pollock impress? And who has a big summer ahead on the international stage?
Daily Mail Sport’s ALEX BYWATER was at Twickenham to rate the players…
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
George Furbank (capt) – 7
Last Northampton appearance before move to Harlequins ended in fairytale fashion. Somehow dropped sitter with line gaping but ran hard and ended lifting the trophy.
Tommy Freeman – 6.5
He loves a try but his scoring start to the game was gift-wrapped. Poor decision to pat ball back into play allowed Campbell Ridl to go over but fine second-half run.
Tom Litchfield – 5
First-half hat-trick in play-off win. Didn’t hit those heights here but still a coming force. Replaced on the hour in favour of Fraser Dingwall’s experience.
George Furbank signed off in poetic fashion as he won the PREM trophy in his final game for Northampton Saints
Rory Hutchinson – 6
His pull-back passes at the line are a joy to watch. Scotland must be doing pretty well if he can’t make their side.
George Hendy – 8
Will be wondering how his pass wasn’t collected by Furbank. In 2024 final he came up with crucial second-half assist. This year, it was two vital tries of his own.
Fin Smith – 7
Absolutely walloped by Ethan Roots but showed his toughness to continue and was rewarded with a try. Good kick for Hendy’s second.
Archie McParland – 5
Injured trying to prevent Exeter’s first score from Ridl. Replaced by Alex Mitchell far earlier than Northampton would have hoped. Mitchell failed to convert in the second half but showed strong stamina despite limited minutes.
Emmanuel Iyogun – 5.5
Could be pleased with his performance before giving way as Northampton went in search of fresh legs.
Curtis Langdon – 7.5
He did very well in the build-up to his team’s second which came from Smith, freeing himself in contact.
Elliot Millar Mills – 6.5
Part of a Saints scrum which won first-half penalty and went well on the whole before giving way when things started to turn.
Alex Coles – 8
Sported new tight haircut to suggest he meant business and that proved to be the case. Immense and could have a big summer ahead with England.
Alex Coles (right) has a big summer ahead with England and meant business here
Ed Prowse – 5.5
Plenty of grunt before being replaced by the enormous JJ Van der Mescht who made huge impact from the bench.
Josh Kemeny – 6.5
Yellow carded for making head-on-head contact with Dafydd Jenkins but very good other than that.
Tom Pearson – 8
Big hit on Greg Fisilau. Just like Kemeny, he gets through a mountain of unseen work which should earn him more praise.
Henry Pollock – 8.5
Bright pink boots added to his usual on-field aura. Like he did in the play-offs, he let his rugby do the talking with a man of the match display, summed up by late breakdown win.
Replacements
Alex Mitchell 7 (for McParland 11), Craig Wright 6.5 (for Langdon 50), Danilo Fischetti 7 (for Iyogun 50), Luke Green 6.5 (for Millar Mills 50), JJ Van der Mescht 7.5 (for Prowse 53), Callum Chick 6.5 (for Pearson 56), Fraser Dingwall 5.5 (for Litchfield 60), Tom Lockett 5 (for Kemeny 78)
Henry Pollock was the star performer, once again letting his rugby do the talking
EXETER CHIEFS
Olly Woodburn – 5
Mix-up with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso gifted Freeman opening score. A little ponderous on the big stage.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 6
Back in the side after facial surgery but didn’t make best of starts after colliding with Woodburn. Strong defensively after that.
Henry Slade – 6
He’s had an exceptional season so it was a surprise he missed his first two kicks at goal.
Len Ikitau – 8
World class. Did brilliantly to put Ridl into space for try. Only one season as a Chief but what a season it’s been.
Campbell Ridl – 7
Did well to finish in the opening quarter after benefitting from Freeman’s unwise move. Hassled well all afternoon.
Harvey Skinner – 4
Bumped off too easily by Coles and couldn’t get a grip on proceedings.
Stephen Varney – 8
Another Chief who’s had an excellent campaign and a 50:22 kick showed his talent. Couldn’t be faulted as one of his team’s best players.
Scott Sio – 4
Replaced early in the second-half with his team not dominant at the set-piece. Second best in battle with Millar Mills.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returned from facial surgery but was unable to guide his side to the win
Max Norey – 5
Carried off in the opening 10 minutes to be replaced by Joseph Dweba who summed up Exeter’s physicality.
Josh Iosefa-Scott – 6
Penalised at one set-piece and was part of weaker scrum but made amends by crashing over for try.
Dafydd Jenkins (capt) – 6.5
Excellent finish for a lock forward got his team back in the game after he was hit high by Kemeny. Followed that with costly yellow card of his own.
Andrea Zambonin – 5.5
He’s proved to be a brilliant signing. Top line-out operator but his team were second best in that area in the final.
Tom Hooper – 7
Excellent first season in Exeter colours and was key part of his team’s impressive physicality, even if it wasn’t quite enough.
Ethan Roots – 6.5
Smashed Smith with a monstrous hit to give his team confidence. Replaced by Christ Tshiunza.
Greg Fisilau – 6.5
Hard as nails. Deserves to be in the England mix after good battle with Pollock.
Replacements
Joseph Dweba 7 (for Norey 8), Ethan Burger 6.5 (for Sio 46), Bachuki Tchumbadze 6.5 (for Iosefa-Scott 46), Christ Tshiunza 6.5 (for Roots 47), Ross Vintcent 5 (for Jenkins 69), Kane James 5 (for Fisilau 78), Will Haydon-Wood 5 (for Ridl 78)
