Exeter Chiefs tie opening league game with incredible fightback at Northampton

The Gallagher Premiership season kicked off for Exeter Chiefs with an unbelievable draw at Northampton Saints.

The Chiefs were staring at a heavy defeat, trailing 33-7 at half-time, but the second-half response was fairytale stuff, as winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored two tries to help his side secure a dramatic 33-33 draw.

Feyi-Waboso, playing his first game since December following injury, first crossed in the opening four minutes but that simply stirred the Saints into a first-half barrage. Debutant Edoardo Todaro notched twice for the hosts and there were further tries from Alex Coles, Tom Pearson and Tom Litchfield, as the Chiefs were ripped apart by some immense attacking rugby.

The response, however, was off the charts.

Ross Vincent crossed the whitewash twice, Paul Brown-Bampoe also scored and the stage was set for Feyi-Waboso to touch down the equalising try.

Exeter Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said: "We had nowhere to go at half-time. We either had to roll over and die or stand up and fight, and fair play to the lads, they stood up and fought.”

The Chiefs welcome Newcastle to Sandy Park next Saturday and a big opportunity to build on this rousing display.