Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs Secure Semifinal Spots in Prem Rugby Cup
Leicester Tigers solidified their position for a home semi-final in the Prem Rugby Cup with a nail-biting 33-27 victory over Harlequins at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. This win not only marked a significant achievement for Leicester, who have never clinched this title, but also established a nine-point lead at the top of Pool B with one match remaining for second-placed Northampton Saints. In Pool A, Exeter Chiefs ascended to the top following a dominant 31-19 win over Bath, ensuring their place in the last four. Dan John shone for the Chiefs, scoring twice as they pulled four points clear of second-placed Gloucester. Despite Will Butt giving Bath an early lead in the eighth minute, Exeter quickly turned the tide with three tries in just ten minutes, ending the first half with a 19-7 advantage. Key moments in the Leicester vs. Harlequins clash included: A penalty try awarded in the 72nd minute, pivotal for Leicester's win. Tries from Josh Bellamy, Luke Northmore, and Stu Townsend for Harlequins, who held a brief lead at halftime. A late try from Northmore provided a consolation bonus point for Quins, who remain at the bottom of the pool. Looking ahead, Exeter can secure a home tie if Gloucester fails to beat Bath in the final round. Conversely, should Gloucester achieve a bonus-point victory, the Chiefs will face the Tigers in a highly anticipated matchup.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-02-21