Prem talking points: Bath's missing drop-goal, Feyi-Waboso's shower & Pollock's revenge

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Santi Carreras and Henry Pollock were all key figures in a captivating set of Prem semi-finals BBC Sport rugby union news reporterPublished27 minutes agoIt's important to remember that Finn Russell doesn't like dropping goals either. Bath's first-choice fly-half famously prefers keeping ball in hand, having landed only one in open play in his entire playing career. That one though came at the exact place that Santi Carreras, standing in for the injured Russell, turned down a string of opportunities at the death in the 27-26 defeat by Exeter on Sunday. Back in March 2024, in the shadow of the south stand, Russell doubled back to flop over an ugly-looking dropper on the way to victory over Sale. Typically, he did it with his weaker left foot., external Carreras was at even closer range. A monster four-and-half-minute 40-phase passage of play had taken the hosts to within inches of the line. Carreras could have stepped back deep into the pocket and still had a straightforward, central pot at goal. Instead, Bath backed their forward power to overwhelm Exeter's cussed goalline stand. Vilikesa 'Billy' Sela did eventually get over - but crucially not down. Held up over the whitewash by a combination of Olly Woodburn and Zack Wimbush, it marked the end of a remarkable match, the culmination of an almighty comeback and the start of some wild celebrations. Du Toit proud of 'incredible growth' as he departs Bath Published2 hours agoOne that got away - Van Graan rues Bath exit Published1 day agoIn addition to the unused drop-goal option, there were acres of space out wide with Henry Arundell a couple of successful passes away from a walk-in. Bath had plenty of evidence for their pick-and-go tactics though. Back in January, in a strikingly similar scenario they wore down Exeter on the last play of the game, with Arthur Green going over under the posts after 38 phases to secure a 33-26 victory. But would Russell, watching from the stands with his glitchy calf, have backed himself more readily on a dry day to drop a rare goal? And would his team-mates have been quicker to listen to him? Carreras, who had made a shaky start to the game, also wasted five-on-three overlap in the final minute inside the Exeter 22m, his long mis-pass allowing the visiting defence to drift and stay intact. Afterwards, coach Johann van Graan spoke of "missed opportunities" in the second half being decisive. It was their frontline fly-half they missed the most. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Feyi-Waboso (centre of picture) was among Exeter's travelling fans at the Rec Another star in the Rec stands was Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The Exeter flier was ruled out of the match with a broken jaw and subsequent surgery, but was roaring on his team-mates in the sun. Come the final whistle, one Bath fan took exception to Feyi-Waboso and friends' loud support and threw a drink over the England wing. Television cameras caught another fan giving Chiefs fly-half Harvey Skinner a single-finger salute on the final whistle. It isn't the first time there has been issues at the Rec. Slade made Exeter believe in final return - Baxter Published1 day ago'Same players but different men' - Exeter's remarkable turnaround Published1 day agoExeter fight back to stun Bath and reach Prem final Published1 day agoTwo years ago, after another Prem semi-final, Sale second row Jonny Hill was involved in an altercation with a home fan who Hill claimed had been mocking and abusing him throughout the match. Feyi-Waboso's only public comment since the incident has been to post a video, external of himself cheering on his team with the caption, 'Scenessss'. Exeter coach Rob Baxter has said that, in line with the new(ish) agreement between clubs and England over elite players, England will have the final say over whether Feyi-Waboso can play at Twickenham on Saturday. The visiting support certainly let the home fans know who had the final say on Saturday. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A departing Bath fan threw his drink at Feyi-Waboso... Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, ...and lost his shirt in the confrontation that followed Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Henry Pollock had a try disallowed as he strayed offside from team-mate Tommy Freeman's initial kick through The last time Henry Pollock faced Leicester, it was a difficult afternoon for the Northampton tyro. Coming off the bench at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, he got into a couple of scraps, deputised poorly on the line-out oche after hooker Craig Wright's yellow card, and was jeered to the end of a 41-17 defeat. The image of a smiling Hanro Liebenberg facing Pollock down as the Northampton man attempted to instigate another confrontation, spread fast and far. That day, a fired-up, beefed-up Leicester pack got the better of him. On Friday night, back at Franklin's Gardens Pollock got revenge. There wer

Prem talking points: Bath's missing drop-goal, Feyi-Waboso's shower & Pollock's revenge

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