Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins scored a try but received a crucial yellow card as Exeter Chiefs fell short in their bid to be crowned English champions. Northampton Saints took the Gallagher Premiership title, running out 26-17 winners at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Jenkins scored a try to put Exeter ahead in the 52nd minute, but the 23-year-old received a costly yellow card four minutes later for a high tackle on George Furbank as the Chiefs shipped 12 points in his absence. It proved to be the decisive period of the match.
Northampton's Tries Seal the Title
Tries from Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith, and George Hendy (twice), along with six points from Smith's boot, got Northampton over the line. Exeter scored three tries of their own courtesy of Campbell Ridl, Josh Iosefa-Scott, and Jenkins, while Harvey Skinner kicked two points.
Saints drew first blood after a bad error from Imanuel Feyi-Waboso, who ran directly into his teammate Olly Woodburn after a neat kick through from Smith to hand the try to Freeman on a plate. Exeter hit straight back as Ridl ran in unopposed from the halfway line before Smith hit back for Saints with a try from short range. Iosefa-Scott powered over at the stroke of half-time, meaning Saints led 14-10.
Jenkins put Exeter ahead after the break before receiving a yellow card, but Northampton took complete control from there on in with two terrific finishes from Hendy out wide to seal the win.
World Champions Thrash Barbarians
South Africa scored 12 tries as they thrashed the Barbarians 80-31 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth. The Barbarians will face Wales at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, next Saturday and had one Welshman in their starting XV in the shape of Dragons hooker Elliot Dee.
A hat-trick of tries by Springboks wing Edwill van der Merwe, along with scores from Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Riley Norton, Cheslin Kolbe, JJ Kotze, Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, and Zachary Porten blew the Barbarians away. But the visitors did score five tries of their own courtesy of Virimi Vakatawa, Franco Molina, Andrew Kellaway (twice), and TJ Perenara. The Barbarians have called up Wales legend George North for next weekend's game in the final match of his career.
Ireland Lose Captain Doris for Summer Tests
Ireland have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their summer Tests after captain Caelan Doris was ruled out of next month's Nations Championship through injury. The Leinster back-row suffered a foot injury during his side's United Rugby Championship final victory over the Bulls on Friday and will miss fixtures against Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
Doris was forced off after just seven minutes at Croke Park, although he returned after the final whistle to lift the trophy alongside his teammates during the celebrations. His absence leaves head coach Andy Farrell without one of his most influential players, with hooker Dan Sheehan set to captain Ireland during the three-match campaign.
Ireland have also lost Leinster wing Tommy O'Brien, who has been ruled out with a groin injury after being forced off during the URC final. O'Brien had enjoyed an impressive season and scored in Leinster's Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux.
Ulster brothers Bryn and Zac Ward have been drafted into the squad as replacements. Wing Zac Ward has previous international experience through Ireland Sevens and Emerging Ireland, while 21-year-old back-row Bryn Ward is rewarded for a breakthrough campaign. The call-ups mean Ulster now have 10 representatives in the Ireland squad following a much-improved season under Richie Murphy, which saw the province reach the Challenge Cup final.
Ireland fly to Sydney on Monday before opening their Nations Championship campaign against Australia on July 4. Farrell's side then face Japan a week later before taking on New Zealand at Eden Park on July 18, with Doris joining Jack Crowley and Andrew Porter on the growing injury list.
