Exeter Chiefs surge back to the top after revamp and new star centre

Exeter Chiefs moved to the top of the Premiership table on Saturday with a 30-24 win at Saracens, their first away victory there since 2017, signaling a marked revival this season. The win, powered by a renewed spine and a more expansive approach, showcased a team that has rebuilt its identity around a blend of high-intensity attack and disciplined defense, led by new midfield craft and a sharper back line.

Back in August, Exeter chief executive Tony Rowe sat in a Sandy Park meeting room and banged his fists on the table. “We’re back. Watch out,” he declared, a line that drew eyebrows given the previous season’s struggles. Exeter had lost 14 of 18 games and finished near the bottom in a decline that contrasted sharply with their former status as domestic and European champions. Yet the early foundations of this campaign have suggested a different trajectory, with evidence of a season-long reset already taking shape.

The turnaround has been anchored by a combination of coaching changes and the arrival of a centre who has elevated Exeter’s quality across both halves. Len Ikitau, armed with international pedigree, has been a catalyst, allowing Harvey Skinner to settle more comfortably at fly-half and enabling the Chiefs to press with greater tempo. Last season, Ben Hammersley was relied upon to temper the midfield, but Ikitau’s influence has extended beyond his own play to lift teammates around him. In a decisive moment at Saracens, Ikitau dislodged the ball from Ben Earl in a 24-phase defensive stand late in the game, Henry Slade recovered the possession and sprinted downfield, culminating in a bonus-point try that underscored Exeter’s mental and physical tenacity. “It’s going to be a good bus journey home,” Ikitau said afterward, acknowledging the celebrations as the one-club chiefs and staff enjoyed a hard-fought victory.

Exeter’s performance also highlighted the return of a familiar fighting spirit that fans associate with the club’s best days. The visitors endured yellow cards on either side of the interval but weathered the setback with resolute defense and precise execution in attack. Olly Woodburn repeatedly repelled Owen Farrell’s high ball, while Coach Rob Baxter stressed that the result reflected the hard work of a squad rediscovering its core identity. "I can’t sit here and say we look like a team with massive rugby IQ who don’t make errors with rock-solid discipline," Baxter said. "But what I can say is we’re a team that don’t ever give up. We’ve got great spirit, great fight, great fitness. My job is to not dampen that and keep adding that little bit of detail around not beating ourselves."

The win also underscored a broader shift in Exeter’s approach. Baxter pointed to a more balanced squad that blends high-end quality from outside the region with a strong, young core developed at the club. Players such as Daf Jenkins, Olly Woodburn, Manny Feyi-Waboso and Greg Fisilau have become central to the plan, complementing a defensive structure that has regained its edge after seasons in which the Chiefs sometimes looked overawed by their peers. The emphasis has moved away from a safety-first, methodical ruck to a faster, more expansive game plan that challenges defenses with quick ball and dynamic ball-carrying from a re-energized pack.

Changes in coaching personnel have been key to the revival. Rowe moved on from trusted assistants such as Ali Hepher and Rob Hunter, who had guided the club through their glory years, and the new setup has shaped a clearer, more aggressive game plan. The match at Saracens offered a real-time illustration of that philosophy: Fisilau’s hard carries from No 8 returned momentum, and Jenkins carried with purpose, often challenging the gainline and creating space for teammates. “Games like this are when the top-quality guys stand up and that is what you saw today. Ikitau had probably his best game for us, in the toughest of circumstances,” Baxter said.

Exeter’s climb comes at a moment when Saracens, under Mark McCall, are navigating a rough patch. After a promising spell, Saracens have now lost three of their last four games and will be grateful to welcome back Maro Itoje in the New Year. McCall spoke with a sense of learning from the afternoon: you could see the fight and belief within Exeter’s group, and the defending champions admitted that their own performance was inconsistent and didn’t meet their standards. “Overall, I think the performance was too inconsistent,” McCall said, noting that Saracens must rediscover their rhythm after some adverse results.

For Exeter, the win represents more than a single result; it is a signal that last season’s collapse was not the sum total of the club’s identity. The combination of leadership from Rowe, the reshaped coaching staff, and the emergence of a ball-in-hand centre who can unlock pace from the backline has created a platform for potential continued success. Baxter’s comments after the game underscored a simple truth: the Chiefs will continue to strive for improvement, building on a formation that can demand attention across Europe and the Premiership alike. He emphasized that the season’s early signs should be read as the start—not the end—of a sustained rebuild, and the squad remains focused on maintaining the approach that has delivered results when it mattered most.

As Exeter looks to extend their run in the coming weeks, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see whether the blend of new leadership, midfields with added distribution, and a high-energy back three can maintain momentum. If their performance at Saracens is any guide, the Chiefs will present a credible challenge to any opponent and a clear test of whether they can sustain a revival that once again places them among the Premiership’s frontrunners.