Exeter v Harlequins betting tips: Chiefs on verge of another title

Exeter are chasing a third Premiership title in five seasons and are the clear favourites despite Harlequins’ stunning extra-time victory over Bristol.

In a thrilling game, Quins looked certain losers when moments before the half-time whistle they trailed 28-0 but they stormed back to score five tries to take the match into extra time.

They added two more in that period to win 43-36 and reach their first final since 2012 with a side that had 11 of their academy products in the matchday squad of 23.

Tyrone Green and Joe Marchant both scored two tries for Quins, Alex Dombrandt, James Chisholm and Louis Lynagh the others, with Marcus Smith adding four conversions.

Harlequins finished fourth in the Gallagher Premiership table, two places and 11 points behind their Twickenham opponents.

They head into the final as 4/1 underdogs or they can be backed at 10/11 with a 12-point start on the handicap.

Exeter v Harlequins head-to-head

Exeter’s short odds to win on Saturday are further justified by them doing the double over Harlequins during the regular season.

The teams met on the opening weekend in November when the Chiefs cruised to a 33-3 victory at the Stoop thanks to a hat-trick of tries by Sam Simmonds.

It was much closer in the return game at Sandy Park in March though as Exeter came from 13 points down to snatch a 21-20 win, with Dave Ewers crossing for the winning try with five minutes remaining.

The coaches’ view

Exeter boss Rob Baxter: “Those Harlequins players had a great second half. It was a fantastic game of rugby.

“My biggest concern is that we conceded 30 points and that makes you think about what we will have to defend against next week. Hopefully we can keep the ball and nullify their threat.”

Harlequins general manager Billy Millard: “Since January, we haven’t got carried away with anything. We have taken it game by game and not got too high or too low and not panicked when we have had setbacks.

“Next week will be a totally different one in terms of approach but we will have Andre Esterhuizen available and he will be needed to deal with the physical onslaught that will come from the opposition.”

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication