Full Breakdown
Exeter Chiefs clinch first Premiership Rugby win as Christian Wade nears try record
By Drooid · · How we work
Match Summary
Exeter Chiefs secured a 34-28 victory over Newcastle Red Bulls at Sandy Park, earning their first Premiership Rugby win of the 2026-27 season. The contest featured nine tries, with the lead changing hands repeatedly. Ross Vintcent opened the scoring for Exeter inside the first minute, while Christian Wade recorded a hat-trick for Newcastle, taking his career total to 100 Premiership tries. Exeter reclaimed the lead in the closing stages through a Henry Slade penalty and a late try by Georgian prop Bachuki Tchumbadze.
Key Statistics
- Final score: Exeter Chiefs 34, Newcastle Red Bulls 28
- Tries: Exeter – Vintcent, Slade, Harris, Tchumbadze; Newcastle – Wade, Max Hicks, Zack Henry
- Conversions: Zack Henry (4/4)
- Penalties: Slade
- Total points: 62
- Attendance: 7,071 (47 % of Sandy Park’s 15,000 capacity)
- Wade’s career tally: 100 Premiership tries, one short of Chris Ashton’s record of 101
Attendance and Commercial Concerns
The sparse crowd prompted the closure of the North Terrace, a first for a league match at the venue. Exeter had reduced ticket prices earlier in the season, yet thousands of seats remained empty, reflecting broader economic pressures on match-day revenue. The low turnout contrasted with the stadium’s usual near-full capacity in recent years.
Player Milestones
Christian Wade’s hat-trick not only kept Newcastle competitive but also positioned him on the cusp of the all-time try-scoring record. His 100-try milestone was highlighted by Newcastle head coach Dan McFarland, who emphasized Wade’s leadership qualities. For Exeter, Ross Vintcent’s early score set the tone, while Bachuki Tchumbadze’s late try secured the win. Youngest-ever league debutant Jake Dalziel (18 years, 54 days) featured for Newcastle, and Exeter’s Rob Baxter noted the injury to England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, describing it as a concern rather than a long-term issue.
Official Statements & Responses
Rob Baxter said Exeter’s defensive energy in the first half was below expectations, though he praised the team’s attacking creativity and the speed of ball movement through the midfield. He also expressed confidence that the squad could improve its defensive drive in future fixtures. Dan McFarland highlighted Wade’s contribution and reiterated confidence in the Red Bulls’ evolving playing style, describing the team’s progress as “exciting and full of intent.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t think it’s a catastrophe but he said he doesn’t feel right,” — Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby
- “Christian is a really good man, an excellent connector,” — Dan McFarland, newcastle head coach
What It Means for the Season
Exeter’s win halts a winless start and demonstrates the squad’s capacity to recover from deficits, a factor that may influence their upcoming clash with Toulouse in the Champions Cup. Newcastle’s continued offensive potency, despite the loss, suggests they remain a threat in the league, especially as Wade approaches the try-scoring record. The attendance shortfall, however, underscores a challenge for Premiership Rugby clubs to attract fans amid competing sporting events and economic constraints.