Premiership Women's Rugby comments - Saracens edge out Exeter in thrilling clash to book place in final

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Live comments, updates, results and streaming details for the Premiership Women's Rugby semi-finals between Saracens and Exeter Chiefs.

Highlights: Saracens get the better of Exeter Chiefs in thriller to reach PWR final

Video credit: TNT Sports

Saracens 40-38 Exeter LIVE - Breach seals Sarries' final berth

Jess Breach's magnificent individual try booked Saracens' place in the Premiership Women's Rugby final, after they edged out Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in a 12-try thriller at the StoneX Stadium.
The full-back marked her 50th appearance for Sarries by running half the length of the pitch to snatch a dramatic victory for the hosts, who will play the Trailfinders in the June 28 showpiece - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Despite an early Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald try, Alysha Corrigan, Breach, Donna Rose and Olivia Apps went over to put Saracens firmly in control at 28-12 up.
However, the sin-binning of Marlie Packer on her final home appearance opened the door for Exeter, who capitalised on their numerical advantage with Amy Rule and Moloney-MacDonald reducing their arrears to 28-26.
The visitors then completed the turnaround at the end of the first half with Hope Rogers, who had crossed for their second try, going over again to put them in front.
Saracens dominated proceedings from the restart and their persistence eventually paid dividends, as Apps powered her way to the line, while replacement Emma Hardy saw a try ruled out for a knock-on following a TMO review.
Maisy Allen put the visitors back in front 12 minutes from time, but Saracens were not to be denied, with Breach's moment of individual excellence enough to book their place in the final.

Saracens 40-38 Exeter LIVE - Six in eight years

Saracens 40-38 Exeter LIVE - 'It was definitely a 23-roster effort'

Olivia Apps - Player of the Match and recently crowned PWR Player of the Season - speaks to TNT Sports.
"Exeter played phenomenally, it was such a competitive game," she says.
"We were disappointed walking into the changing room after that first half. To come out in the second half and be really resilient and do the game plan we said we wanted to do, I feel so proud of the team.
"It was definitely a 23-roster effort. It wasn't easy, but I'm very proud we made it through at the end.
"Exeter managed to get more points than they would've expected, for sure, but I'm really proud of our defensive efforts.
"Now, I can start thinking about the final, but I haven't really processed this yet."

Saracens 40-38 Exeter LIVE - More play-off heartbreak for the Chiefs

Two-time runners-up, that PWR title continues to elude the Chiefs, who just came out on the wrong end of this thriller.
It was not for a lack of effort, though. Fresh from a four-game winning streak, they recovered from a slow start to finish the first half strongly, and edge in front at the break.
Their resolve was eventually broken in the second half, but the visitors did well to regain the lead heading into the latter stages.
However, a moment of brilliance from Breach left them chasing shadows, and the wait to be top dogs in the PWR goes on.

Saracens 40-38 Exeter LIVE - Sarries go back-to-back

Saracens will play in their second successive Premiership Women's Rugby final, and sixth in eight seasons of the competition.
However, that does not begin to tell the story of an action-packed semi-final at the StoneX Stadium, where both sides scored six tries in an absolute thriller.
Sarries had taken early control, but Marlie Packer's yellow card allowed Exeter back into the contest, with the visitors subsequently edging their noses ahead at half-time.
The hosts dominated proceedings after the restart and regained the lead, only to surrender it again.
But step forward, Jess Breach on her 50th appearance, running over half the length of the field to take the prolific finalists back where they belong.
Following Gloucester's defeat earlier, they have the chance to, once again, become the outright most successful team in competition history by claiming a fourth title.

FULL-TIME! Saracens 40-38 Exeter LIVE

Saracens 40-38 Exeter LIVE - The hosts are nearly there

They're awarded a penalty inside their own half and are, understandably, in no rush to resume proceedings.
Sarries are just over a minute away from the Premiership Women's Rugby final.

TRY!!! Saracens 40-38 Exeter LIVE - Breach strikes again for the hosts

What a time to score your 10th try of the season!
The full-back, on the day of her 50th Saracens appearance, takes off inside her own half, and there's no stopping her.
Exeter desperately try to stop her, but it's academic, as she surges over the line to regain the hosts' advantage.
Harrison can't convert but, crucially, the Chiefs are back in front with four minutes remaining.

Saracens 35-38 Exeter LIVE - What have the hosts got left?

They've just been awarded a penalty after turning the ball over from an Exeter lineout.
No team has scored more tries than Saracens this season, but they need another to advance to a second straight final...

TRY!!! Saracens 35-38 Exeter LIVE - The visitors back in front

Right on cue, the Chiefs edge their noses back ahead with 12 minutes remaining!
A strong surge towards the line leads to Allen eventually getting the ball down, before McGoverne converts.

Saracens 35-31 Exeter LIVE - Third time lucky?

The Chiefs will certainly hope so, having been beaten Premiership Women's Rugby finalists in 2022 and 2023.
They have just under 15 minutes to turn this around...

Saracens 35-31 Exeter LIVE - No try

Saracens appear to have given themselves breathing space, as replacement Hardy pounces on a loose ball and surges for the line.
However, a TMO review shows she initially knocked the ball on while contesting an aerial ball.
That's a reprieve for Exeter, who could have been left with a mountain to climb there.

TRY!!! Saracens 35-31 Exeter LIVE - Apps does it again

The hosts edge their noses in front, and it's been coming!
It feels like it's been wave after wave from Saracens since the restart, and they eventually get their reward.
Apps retrieves the ball from the ruck, and uses her sheer pace and power to barge her way to the line.
Harrison remains perfect from the tee to move Sarries four points to the good.

Saracens 28-31 Exeter LIVE - Into the final half-hour

This really is anybody's game to win, with the Trailfinders awaiting the victors in the final.
Saracens continue to control possession, but the Exeter defence is continuing to stand firm.

Saracens 28-31 Exeter LIVE - Vote

Saracens 28-31 Exeter LIVE - Steal

Saracens make a purposeful start to the second half, as they look to edge their noses back in front.
However, a lengthy spell of possession - spanning several phases - comes to an end with Exeter turning the ball over from a lineout.

Saracens 28-31 Exeter LIVE - Kick-off

We're back under way with what are set to be a huge 40 minutes at the StoneX.

Saracens 28-31 Exeter LIVE - How to watch on TNT Sports

You really don't want to miss this clash! It's turning into an absolute thriller already.

HALF-TIME! Saracens 28-31 Exeter LIVE

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Saracens Exeter Chiefs

Image credit: Getty Images

TRY!!! Saracens 28-31 Exeter LIVE - The turnaround is complete

The Chiefs are awarded a penalty and kick for touch, wanting one last push in this first half.
It pays off as Rogers goes over for a second time, with the assistant advising the referee that the ball was grounded.
McGoverne can't convert, but the visitors lead at the break!

TRY!!! Saracens 28-26 Exeter LIVE - Just two points in it

The visitors drive for the line with Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald leading their charge, before the hooker touches down.
McGoverne converts, and this semi-final is now very finely poised.

TRY!!! Saracens 28-19 Exeter LIVE - Hope for the Chiefs!

They immediately make the most of their numerical advantage from the lineout.
Their pressure leads to Rule crossing the line, while McGoverne converts to reduce the visitors' deficit further.

Saracens 28-12 Exeter LIVE - Yellow card

Saracens are in control, but they're not going to have everything their own way.
Packer has just been sent to the bin on her final home appearance, and the hosts are down to 14 players for the next 10 minutes.

TRY!!! Saracens 28-12 Exeter LIVE - Apps gets in on the act

Everyone seems to switch off as Apps recovers the ball from a maul.
The PWR Player of the Season takes full advantage, darting into the gaping hole in the Exeter defence and under the posts.
Harrison, this season's leading points scorer, adds another two from the conversion.
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Olivia Apps

Image credit: Getty Images

TRY!!! Saracens 21-12 Exeter LIVE - The hosts back in charge

The nine-point cushion is restored, as an initial surge from Omokhuale gets them to the line.
There, Rose applies the finishing touch, before Harrison converts.

TRY!!! Saracens 14-12 Exeter LIVE - The Chiefs are back in this

The visitors think they've scored when McGoverne goes over, but she loses possession of the ball at the vital moment!
Nevertheless, Exeter had a penalty advantage and make no mistake this time, with Rogers crossing for her ninth try of the season.
McGoverne converts to cut the gap to just two points after 18 minutes.

TRY!!! Saracens 14-5 Exeter LIVE - Jess Breaches the visitors!

Exeter are sloppy in possession, and ruthlessly punished!
Bridger pounces on a loose ball and feeds Breach, who bursts away from the defence and under the posts.
Harrison converts to put the hosts two scores to the good.

Saracens 7-5 Exeter LIVE - Not quite

A superb burst from Harrison takes her to within the Exeter 22.
The hosts surge for the line, but are just about held up by a stubborn Exeter defence.

Saracens 7-5 Exeter LIVE - Back come the hosts

With their first decent attack of the game, Saracens edge their noses in front.
They work their way out to the right, where Corrigan can touch down, before Harrison converts from a tight angle.
It's been an entertaining opening 10 minutes at the StoneX.

Saracens 0-5 Exeter LIVE - A word from the potential opponents

A reminder that the Trailfinders await the winners of this match in the Premiership Women's Rugby final.
Let's hear from Meg Jones following their impressive win over reigning champions Gloucester.

Saracens 0-5 Exeter LIVE - Claudia on cloud nine

That's 11 tries in 11 appearances for the in-form wing, and seven in her last three!

TRY!!! Saracens 0-5 Exeter LIVE - What a start by the visitors

Exeter strike first in the second semi-final, courtesy of a familiar source!
They neatly work the ball out to the left flank, where Claudia Moloney-MacDonald powers over for her 11th try of the season.
McGoverne cannot convert from a tight angle, but the visitors have early control.

Saracens 0-0 Exeter LIVE - Kick-off

Richard Gordon is our referee today.
He blows his whistle, and Sarries kick things off!

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - It's almost time

The players make their way out onto the pitch - following Breach, who steps out for her 50th Saracens appearance.
We're almost ready to go...

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - How to watch

A reminder of how you can keep an eye on today's proceedings at the StoneX Stadium.

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - The visitors go through their paces

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - Two changes for the visitors

Meanwhile, Exeter are fresh from a four-match winning streak that secured third place in the regular season.
Steve Salvin only makes a couple of alterations from the 50-24 victory over Sale Sharks.
Poulin moves to full-back with Buchanan starting on the right wing, while Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald is back to start after going off for a head injury assessment last time out.

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - Three changes for the hosts

Saracens have momentum after a run of three straight wins, including an 80-14 rout of the Trailfinders on the final weekend of the regular season.
Breach, Gregson and Omokhaule return to the starting XV, while Packer makes her final home appearance for the club.
Apps starts at scrum-half, fresh from being named the PWR Player of the Season.

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - Today's teams

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - Pitch inspection

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - How to watch

The second semi-final is available to stream live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - Who will play the Trailfinders?

Gloucester's reign at the summit of Women's Premiership Rugby is officially over, there will be no fourth straight title this year.
They have just been dethroned by the Trailfinders, who prevailed 29-26 at Queensholm.
Saracens and Exeter will do battle at StoneX Stadium for the right to join them in the final.

Saracens v Exeter LIVE - Welcome

Hello everyone and welcome to live text coverage of the second Women's Premiership Rugby semi-final, between Saracens and Exeter Chiefs.
Kick-off is at 16.30 BST.

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