- Exeter 20-15 Bath
- Chiefs extend unbeaten run against opponents to seven games
Bath have signed Finn Russell on a reported seven-figure salary for next season and this narrow loss in Devon underlined exactly why they were keen to land the game-breaking Scotland fly-half. With a bit more creativity and ambition the visitors might have driven back home for Christmas with a result to savour but, ultimately, they lacked the killer finish to prevent the Chiefs from claiming a seventh straight victory in this fixture.
To say there was a lack of festive glitter sprinkled on Bath’s one-dimensional, box kick-dominated gameplan would be an understatement, their tactical approach so limited that Russell is probably best advised not to watch the highlights. In fairness Johann van Graan’s suffocating gameplan did push a relieved Chiefs side right to the end but it will be fascinating to see how much licence his new playmaker is permitted when the latter finally arrives at the Rec.
