Bath Rugby missed a golden opportunity to climb to the top of the Premiership table after a disappointing 35-12 defeat at Exeter Chiefs, in a match that had major implications for the league standings.

The reigning champions arrived at Sandy Park knowing a win would see them leapfrog Northampton Saints into first place. However, Exeter—playing their first match since members approved an American-backed takeover—had other plans, securing their first league victory over Bath since December 2022.

The tone was set early when Bath’s Quinn Roux received a 20-minute red card for a head-on-head collision with Henry Slade, leaving the visitors a man down. Exeter capitalised quickly, with Josh Iosefa-Scott barging over from close range after Len Ikitau’s dazzling line break. Despite the setback, Bath showed resilience—former Exeter favourite Dan Frost powered over from a driving maul to keep his side in touch.

Both teams traded sin-bin spells in the second half, but it was Exeter who seized control. Paul Brown-Bampoe stretched the lead before Australian international Len Ikitau crossed with 15 minutes remaining, effectively sealing the result. Campbell Ridl added the cherry on top with a late sprint to secure a bonus-point win for the Chiefs.

The victory lifts Exeter five points clear of Bristol into fourth place, while Bath—still smarting from Northampton’s heavy derby loss to Leicester the day before—remain second, two points adrift of the Saints. For the champions, it was a case of what might have been, as small errors and a costly red card derailed their bid for top spot.