Exeter Chiefs 21 Northampton Saints 10: Tom Vickers’ review and player ratings

Who knew?

Saints, reeling after their humbling Champions Cup defeat at Clermont Auvergne, were left on the canvas by a Chiefs side who packed an almighty punch.

In the set piece, they were more muscular.

Around the park, they were more menacing.

And in the end, they more than merited their victory.

Saints had their chances in the first half, but after failing to take them, they left the door open for Exeter.

And the Chiefs waltzed through with alarming ease, comfortably pushing on to claim the victory in a superlative second-half showing.

They shoved Saints into offending, resulting in three yellow cards being shown to the men in lime and a penalty try going the way of the home side.

But this was not a day to point to finger at Wayne Barnes.

And Saints knew they had only themselves to blame for the defeat as they were pushed around like solitary dodgems surrounded by an army of them.

Exeter, who have still only lost at home twice this season, completed the double over Jim Mallinder’s men, having also won in Northampton back in November.

And there will be some soul-searching to be done at Franklin’s Gardens in the next two weeks as they bid to get back on track against Saracens on April 25.

Some fans are now doubting Saints’ credentials, worrying that recent poor performances are becoming a trend that will signal an end to the title bid.

But here some perspective must be applied.

Yes, Saints have not played well of late.

And, yes, there are plenty of questions to be answered in every position.

But, no, Saints’ title chances are not on the scrapheap.

They remain in pole position in the Aviva Premiership, with six points separating them from nearest rivals, Saracens and Bath.

And with London Welsh still to come at home, that is a sizeable gap, with only three games of the regular season to go.

Saints have still only lost four league games this season.