Exeter Chiefs 31-14 Northampton Saints result - Hosts dominate to reach PREM Rugby Cup final after Josh Hodge brace

Exeter Chiefs brushed aside Northampton Saints 31-14 to sail into the final of the PREM Rugby Cup.

It was expected to a titanic tussle, but the hosts rarely looked troubled on an overcast afternoon at Sandy Park, and now await the winners of Leicester Tigers and Bath.

Josh Hodge impressed for the Chiefs with a brace of tries, with Zack Wimbush and Greg Fisilau also getting on the scoresheet.

Northampton, depleted by the loss of some star names who are on international duty, hit back in the ninth minute through a Tom Litchfield try, and were within a score for the majority of the first half, but they were eventually made to pay for their unusually error-strewn performance.

After taking a 17-7 lead in at the break, Exeter pressed home their advantage within three minutes of the second half when Fisilau crashed over.

And while the quality was lacking at times, there was a moment of magic late in the game.

After turning the ball over, Campbell Ridl charged down the left wing before producing a sensational offload off the deck for Hodge to stroll over the whitewash for his second try.

There was time for a late consolation try for Northampton but the Gallagher PREM leaders were well beaten.

This was the moment of the match, executed to perfection by Campbell Ridl.

That's that. Exeter complete a dominant 31-14 victory to earn a spot in the PREM Rugby Cup final. It wasn't a classic but the win is all that matters.

Up next, Leicester Tigers take on Bath in the second semi-final.

Northampton do get their try. After being held up, they come again with a tap-and-go penalty and a few phases later, captain Charlie Ulcoq crashes over.

The game is over now, but can Northampton finish with something positive. They have a line-out in the Exeter 22 after winning a penalty but again, they give possession away so easily.

A 50:22 gives Northampton another chance to land a late score.

In a game of little quality, this is sensational. And it comes from a Northampton attack. The ball is spilled as the visitors probe for a route back into the contest and Campbell Ridl is free. He storms down the left wing, is eventually caught by James Martin and then produces an immense offload for Hodge to saunter over for Exeter’s fourth try.

Absolute magic.

From the line-out, a line break for Exeter. It’s five on three but Brown-Bampoe’s pass doesn’t go to hand.

What a missed opportunity that is.

It really is one for the purists here. After all the build-up, it hasn’t delivered what was expected yet. Much of the game has been played near the halfway line.

Northampton win a penalty and kick to touch in the Exeter 22. But another handling error sees the chance fizzle out.

Exeter are now awarded a penalty and Slade launches a kick well into the Saints half.

The visitors again struggle to make a dent in the Exeter defence and eventually give the ball away.

Some quick hands along the Exeter backline nearly sets Brown-Bampoe clear on the wing but Northampton just about do enough.

Saints then turn the ball over and have numbers left but the decision is taken to kick in behind, wasting the potential overlap.

The hosts have also opted to turn to their bench and stick a new front row on for the rest of this game.

On come Julian Heaven, Ethan Burger and Khwezi Mona for Will Goodrick-Clarke, Jack Yeandle and Jimmy Roots.

Unsurprisingly, the visitors have made some changes. They have unleashed a full new front row, while JJ Van Der Mescht has also made way in the second row.

In the backs, James Ramm is off.

On are Curtis Langdon, Joe Cowell, Will Davies-King, Chunya Munga, Tom James and Toby Thame.

Northampton win a penalty after Wimbush is clocked for not rolling away. There is a pause in proceedings, though, as McParland gets his head taped up after being caught by a flying boot.

There is just no bite in the Saints attack today. After losing metres, they are forced to go to the air and win a penalty off the back of it on the 15-metre line.

Exeter win another penalty; the Northampton discipline has been poor today. But the visitors are granted a reprieve with Slade missing touch.

Exeter win the penalty and Slade sends it deep into the Northampton 22. The hosts front up, knocking their opponents back towards their line before Greg Fisilau sees his chance to strike and dives over.

Exeter are closing on a spot in the final.

We’re back underway at Sandy Park.

This was a touch of class from Henry Slade in the first half!

As TNT Sports expert Danny Care said during the opening period, the game lacked a little bit of a spark. Knock-ons and scrums have been the name of the game so far, so both will be eager to improve after the break.

Archie McParland takes a quick penalty and catches Exeter napping. He charges about 15 metres before chipping the ball into the back field but Cairns is on hand to gather and then win a penalty for Exeter.

The hosts decide that is enough for the first half and take their 17-7 lead in at the break.

Slade nails a sublime 50:22. Can Exeter make the most of the good field position? It’s all been a bit scrappy so far, with neither side able to establish any attacking rhythm.

On the first phase, they opt to chip it in behind the Saints defence, but it seems to catch the Exeter backline by surprise.

After clearing, Northampton are back under pressure. Exeter go through the phases but struggle to make any serious inroads until Cairns gains some metres from the base of a ruck.

Within five metres of the line the ball slows up again but Exeter win a penalty after Northampton are penalised for not rolling away. They tap and go and eventually the Saints defense is breached with Zack Wimbush crashing over under the posts.

This time Exeter win a penalty from the scrum. Slade gets his side into the Northampton 22 but Harvey Skinner knocks it on to bring the attack to an end. It's like a hot potato today.

Back we go for another scrum.