Bath beaten by Exeter Chiefs in classic Gallagher PREM semi-final but was Joe Cokanasiga's sin bin for deliberate knock-on justified?

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Joe Cokanasiga's costly sin bin for a deliberate knock-on was the subject of major debate as Bath surrendered their Gallagher PREM title in a dramatic semi-final defeat to Exeter Chiefs.

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Twickenham - and a date with Northampton Saints on June 20, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - was within touching distance for Bath as they led 26-10 before the momentum swung in favour of Exeter as the Chiefs fought back to win 27-26 at the Rec.

With 64 minutes on the clock and Bath leading 26-22, Cokanasiga was deemed to have run the risk of intentionally fumbling the ball forward in an attempt to intercept a long pass.

At first glance, it appeared as though the winger made a genuine attempt to catch it but the fact the former England international went with one hand seemed to sway the officials into thinking it was deserving of punishment.

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Ultimately, it was deemed a yellow card offence, leaving Bath playing with 14 men for 10 minutes at a critical moment.

TNT Sports commentator Nick Mullins said: "[TMO] Andrew Jackson has seen enough to turn this into a formal review. I think [referee] Christophe Ridley might be minded to do something about this."

Chris Ashton told TNT Sports: "That's a genuine attempt to take the ball, isn't it? Do you not think? It's not like he's reaching for it. He's quite close to it."

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But fellow co-commentator Ben Kay contested: "No - not with one hand. The pass is too fast for you to be able to catch it in that position while trying to mark three defenders.

"It is a gamble because you're so flat in defence. It's not possible for you to be in a position to catch that ball properly. It's more a reaction to throw a hand at it. It might look like he's trying to catch it..."

Referee Ridley subsequently announced to the crowd: "I have a decision. The player sticks an arm out and, with one hand, he runs the risk of knocking the ball forward. It's a deliberate knock-on."

It is not the first time that Cokanasiga was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on this season.

In March away to Sale, the resulting numerical disadvantage allowed The Sharks to score a try almost immediately, though Bath ultimately rallied to win 31-26.

On Saturday, it had been one-way traffic from Exeter for much of the second half after Bath had led 26-10 at half-time.

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The numerical advantage proved decisive as Ethan Burger scored the crucial try to tilt Exeter in front and complete 17 unanswered points for the visitors to book their place in the PREM final.

Chiefs held up the champions in the dying seconds as Bath, with Cokanasiga back on the field, were unable to convert 40 phases of possession. Heroic defending on the try line set up another big day in the capital against Northampton, who defeated Leicester 45-31 in the other semi-final, next weekend.

Campbell Ridl is held by Joe Cokanasiga during the Gallagher PREM semi final match between Bath Rugby and Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground on June 13, 2026

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Who heads into final as favourites?

Former Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll will not discount Exeter's chances despite Saints, who finished top of the table in regular season, being heavy favourites.

"Exeter Chiefs are probably the in-form team," O'Driscoll told TNT Sports. "They've got the momentum, they've got the belief now, particularly coming back from a scoreline like that at half-time.

"You wouldn't bet against them, but looking at the quality of Saints last night as well, they were exceptional. So it should make for a really juicy affair.

"It'll just be about big players turning up. Harvey Skinner turning up for jackals, with five minutes to go. You don't anticipate it from your 10.

"You need moments like that to win finals. We've seen it over the course of the last number of years.

"Who's going to be the person to deliver on the big occasion?"

Ben Hammersley scores a try during the Gallagher PREM semi-final

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TNT Sports pundit Sam Warburton added: "To nil Bath in the second half... when have Bath ever been nilled in the second half? I can't remember when.

"That toughness and that resilience, which is the most underrated trait of any team or any individual player, is what you need to get to the top.

"It's lovely to have all the technical and tactical skills but, if you don't have the heart and the mindset to go right to the well for your team, you're not going to win.

"That's what you watch in Exeter and that's what you can take out of this game - the momentum that they're on now.

"Bath have been a little bit creaky in the last two months, whereas Exeter have gone to Welford Road and put Tigers away, they put Saracens away.

"They come away from home here and win. The amount of confidence that they just keep stacking and evidence they keep stacking - they've got to fully believe that they've got a very deserved chance at that title. We could have one of the classics in this final."

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