Leicester Tigers 26-35 Exeter Chiefs result - Hosts handed first home defeat in Gallagher PREM as Andrea Zambonin secures late bonus point

Exeter Chiefs climbed into the Gallagher PREM play-off places following an entertaining 35-26 victory over already-qualified Leicester Tigers.

Andrea Zambonin's late try secured a bonus-point win for Rob Baxter's side, who became the first team to defeat the Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road this season.

A magnificent burst from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso led to Olly Woodburn crossing to put the Chiefs ahead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Leicester responded with Orlando Bailey's clever punt finding George Pearson, who went over on his first PREM start, while a couple of Bailey penalties put the hosts 14-13 ahead at half-time.

Exeter were quick out of the blocks after the break. Len Ikitau and Woodburn crossed to restore their advantage at 25-14.

Woodburn was sent to the sin bin soon after for a deliberate knock-on, and the hosts took advantage with Olly Cracknell reducing their deficit.

The Tigers edged ahead in the 71st minute with Adam Radwan's superb lay-off allowing Charlie Clare to touch down.

Just three minutes later, though, Harvey Skinner's wonderful offload found Zambonin, who powered past Bailey and Radwan to cross for the decisive try.

The scorer of that late try, Andrea Zambonin has been named Player of the Match.

"It was a great game," he tells TNT Sports. "All the guys played a wonderful and amazing game. It was real fun to play.

"We all try to do our best every time. As a team, we know we need to give our best every game, every training session, to achieve something.

"The next game is the most important one. We need to enjoy every little moment. We will enjoy tonight, then tomorrow, we will focus on the next game."

Who will take the final place in this season's play-offs?

Find out next weekend by watching round 18 of the regular campaign on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

The remaining issues to be resolved in this regular PREM Rugby season were never going to be done so today.

Although, Exeter grasped the opportunity to climb above Saracens and into the top four.

Inflicting Leicester's first home defeat of the season will give them so much confidence ahead of their winner-takes-all clash with Sarries next weekend.

The Tigers may not have climbed into second place as they wanted to, but Parling's men can still achieve that - and displace Bath to claim home advantage in the semi-finals - if they beat them in the final round of the regular campaign.

Leicester Tigers 26-35 Exeter Chiefs

The Chiefs are awarded a last-minute penalty and, understandably, are in no rush to take it.

As the clock ticks past 80 minutes, Slade slots over from left of the posts.

Not only does it secure the victory, it also removes Leicester's losing bonus point.

As things stand, yes.

A bonus-point victory would move Exeter six points clear of the Bears, who would subsequently be unable to climb into the top four.

The Chiefs have the lead, and the bonus point!

Exeter have the advantage, and make the most of it, as Skinner finds Zambonin with a superb offload.

The second row holds off Bailey's challenge and storms over the line, despite Radwan's best efforts.

Slade superbly converts from a tight angle.

The hosts lead with 10 minutes to go!

Leicester are at the five-metre line and the ball is fed out to Radwan, who is being forced towards touch.

However, he does brilliantly to feed it back into Clare, with the substitute hooker touching down.

Bailey cannot convert, but the Tigers are back in front.

Exeter hold a slender four-point lead heading into the final quarter of an hour.

Can they protect that advantage and climb into the top four?

The hosts eventually make their pressure tell!

Their sheer power eventually proves too much for the Chiefs, with Cracknell just about stretching for the line.

Bailey converts to reduce the Tigers' deficit to just four points.

A deliberate knock-on shout is waved away, but another soon after doesn't go unpunished.

Woodburn is the offender as he blocks an offload to the left, and goes to the bin for 10 minutes.

Can Leicester capitalise on their numerical advantage?

Leicester work their way out to Radwan on the right, but the wing is denied by a superb last-gasp challenge from Ridl.

TMO are just reviewing an incident in the build-up to that chance...

A second try of the game and Exeter have breathing space!

A clever movement from Sio opens space for Woodburn to burst into, before diving over the line.

Slade converts from just to the right of the posts, and the visitors lead by 11 points.

Titcombe lines up a drop-goal attempt from distance, but sends it marginally wide of the target.

What a start to the second half by the Chiefs, who surge forward through Hooper.

A tremendous subsequent move with quick passing culminates in an unmarked Ikitau going over in the corner.

Slade pulls his conversion attempt narrowly wide, but the visitors are back in front.

The teams are back out, and Exeter get the second half under way!

The 2025-26 PREM Rugby season is set for a dramatic climax, with the play-offs rapidly approaching.

You can watch all the action live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.