Our preview pack for Saturday's Aviva Premiership Grand Final between Wasps and Exeter at Twickenham includes team news, our betting tips, how both sides got here, head-to-head records, the latest Sky Bet odds, statistics, TV coverage details as well as a list of previous winners.
The 2016-17 Aviva Premiership campaign looks set to come to a thrilling conclusion at Twickenham on Saturday (May 27) as Wasps battle it out with Exeter in the Grand Final.
Both sides finished the regular season occupying first and second in the table on 84 points apiece - with Wasps marginally edging top spot virtue of winning more games.
Exeter then gained revenge over double-chasing Saracens for defeat in last year's final by defeating them 18-16 in a dramatic play-off showdown while Wasps also needed a last-gasp try to sink Leicester in equally thrilling fashion.
While the Chiefs are gunning for their maiden Aviva Premiership title, Wasps are chasing their first since their relocation from London to the Ricoh Arena. The club last lifted the trophy - for the fourth time in their history - back in 2008.
Wasps v Exeter: Team news & key details
Date: Saturday, May 27
Kick-off time: 1430 BST
TV Channel: BT Sport 1
Venue: Twickenham
Team news
Wasps star Kurtley Beale will miss Saturday's Aviva Premiership final against Exeter at Twickenham.
The Australia international full-back, who returns to play Down Under this summer, was not part of the 23-man team announced by Wasps on Friday after being sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Beale, who has delivered a number of brilliant displays for Wasps this season, was hurt during last weekend's Premiership play-off victory over Leicester.
Wasps rugby director Dai Young has handed the number 15 shirt to South Africa international Willie Le Roux who switches from the wing, with Josh Bassett, who scored the winning try two minutes from time against Leicester, gaining a start.
Wasps, in their first Premiership final since 2008 and seeking a fifth title, also field British and Irish Lions squad members Elliot Daly and James Haskell.
Exeter, meanwhile, show one change following their semi-final victory over Saracens, with fit-again wing Olly Woodburn replacing James Short.
Wasps team: Wasps: W Le Roux; C Wade, E Daly, J Gopperth, J Bassett; D Cipriani, D Robson; M Mullan, T Taylor, P Swainston, J Launchbury (capt), M Symons, J Haskell, T Young, N Hughes.
Replacements: A Johnson, S McIntyre, M Moore, K Myall, G Thompson, J Simpson, A Leiua, F Halai.
Exeter team: P Dollman; J Nowell, I Whitten, O Devoto, O Woodburn; G Steenson (capt), S Townsend; B Moon, L Cowan-Dickie, H Williams, D Dennis, G Parling, K Horstmann, D Armand, T Waldrom.
Replacements: J Yeandle, C Rimmer, T Francis, M Lees, S Simmonds, W Chudley, H Slade, M Campagnaro.
Wasps v Exeter: Quotes
Wasps rugby director Dai Young: " "I think we will have two sides who really want to play rugby and want to take the game to each other.
"The (forecast) heat means it could all be made for running rugby, but whoever makes the fewest mistakes has a real chance.
"Exeter are the best side in the league when it comes to the driving maul and they are fantastic at converting opportunities in the (opposition) 22. So if they spend a lot of time in our 22 then it could be a tough day for us.
"The final is new territory for this group of players, but really exciting territory and something our players and coaches can't wait to be involved in. It's a big day for the whole squad, who deserve to be in the final after the consistency they've shown to finish top of the table, and they have a fantastic opportunity ahead of them.
"As much as we are going to enjoy it, we want more than that. We are not there to make up the numbers, we are there to give absolutely everything we have to try to win the trophy. It is just another 80 minutes of rugby in which we are determined to do ou rselves justice and to produce a performance we can all be proud of.
"We have a lot of respect for Exeter, who are a quality team and a quality club. We've had some memorable battles over the past couple of seasons and know how well-drilled and coached they are, so we will have to be at our absolute best to get the win.
"Produce our best and I know we are a match for anyone."
Exeter head coach Rob Baxter: "I think most people have it pinned down as a pretty even contest. A lot of it will come down to the team that hits the pitch in exactly the right frame of mind on the day.
"We are going to do everything we can to make sure that is us. Exeter will try to make it about Exeter, and Wasps will try to make it about Wasps.
"The players have worked exceptionally hard to get to this point. If there is a group of players whose hard work, dedication and desire to do something merits them coming away with something they can talk about as a group for the rest of their lives, that's what is important."
Exeter lock Geoff Parling: "Mentally, we are in a different place as a squad than we were a year ago. It was a good season last year, but not a great season. A great season is if you win the competition.
"Knockout rugby, especially finals, are different because of how you play it in your head. A mistake can feel different.
"In a final, if you make a mistake you have got to be good at brushing it off and getting over it. Without a doubt, the lads will have learnt from last year's final."
Wasps v Exeter: Betting tips & prediction
The top two sides in the Aviva Premiership this season, Wasps and Exeter go head-to-head in the play-off final at Twickenham on Saturday with firms desperately struggling to separate them in the betting.
Both sides finished the regular season with an identical record of 84 points before overcoming Leicester and Saracens respectively in last week’s semi-finals to book their place in the end-of-season showpiece.
Wasps, who have won all four of their previous final appearances, make their first appearance since 2008 following a last-ditch 21-20 victory over the Tigers at the Ricoh Arena.
It was a similar dramatic finish in Devon as Sam Simmonds’ touchdown with just a minute remaining secured Exeter a return trip to English Rugby HQ by sinking reigning Premiership and European champions Saracens 18-16.
If their most recent league meeting at Sandy Park, a thrilling 35-all draw, is anything to go by then another tense tussle is on the cards.
Wasps got the better of their rivals in the opening match of the season at the Ricoh, but again only a score separated the sides hence both being priced at evens in the handicap and outright market.
Like the bookies, I simply can’t separate the sides so the draw at 20/1 seems massively over-priced to me and is definitely worth a small investment.
Last year Exeter lost in the final to Saracens, a defeat that was a particular disappointment for inspirational No 8 Thomas Waldrom who was ruled out through injury.
The Kiwi has been pivotal in Exeter’s rise through the ranks and has featured prominently among the leading try scorers in the league in the last three years.
Waldrom has an incredible record of a try every other match for the Chiefs and with Wasps vulnerable at the set-piece he is worth backing at 9/1 to cross first.
The Premiership’s leading try scorer, Christian Wade and Exeter’s Jack Nowell, who went over in last year’s final, are both worth backing to cross in an anytime double.
Sporting Life suggestions:
Thomas Waldrom to score first try - 9/1
Wade/Nowell double both to score anytime - 9/2
Wasps v Exeter: Sky Bet odds
Anyone who has been keeping a close eye on the domestic rugby scene this season won't be surprised to see the bookies struggling to seperate these sides.
Wasps and Exeter were both initially priced at 10/11 to triumph with Sky Bet although the Chiefs now edge favourtism at 4/5 after the influential Kurtley Beale was ruled out for their opponents.
A draw is available at 20/1 - although that outcome might not be as unlikely as it seems. The sides drew 35-35 back in February while Wasps edged their other Premiership encounter 25-20 in September.
Wasps have a point start on the handicap - a market which both sides can be backed at evens - while Christian Wade is favourite to score the first try at 15/2. Thomas Waldrom (9/1), Olly Woodburn (10/1) and Jack Nowell (12/1) will also have their fair share of backers.
There's a whole host of RequestABet specials including both teams to score and Wasps to win at 9/4 and Cipriani to score a drop goal at 7/1.
Check out all of Sky Bet's Wasps v Exeter odds!
How Wasps & Exeter reached the Aviva Premiership play-offs and the Grand Final
Regular Season
Wasps and Exeter enjoyed superb campaigns during the regular season and their ambitions of achieving top-four finishes were never really in doubt at any point.
Along with defending champions Saracens, who defeated the Chiefs in the 2016 Grand Final, the trio blazed clear of the other play-off hopefuls, losing just 13 games between them.
Wasps beat Sarries on the final day of the regular season to snatch top spot from Exeter - but only virtue of winning more matches after they both finished on 84 points - while the defending champions finished third, 11 points clear of fourth-placed Leicester.
Final Standings
Wasps P 22 W 17 D 1 L 4 SD +191 Pts 84
Exeter P 22 W 15 D 3 L 4 SD +215 Pts 84
Saracens P 22 W 16 D 1 L 5 SD +234 Pts 77
Leicester P 22 W 14 D 0 L 8 SD +122 Pts 66
Bath P 22 W 12 D 0 L 10 SD +46 Pts 59
Harlequins P 22 W 11 D 0 L 11 SD +6 Pts 52
Northampton P 22 W 10 D 0 L 12 SD -14 Pts 52
Newcastle P 22 W 10 D 0 L 12 SD -151 Pts 49
Gloucester P 22 W 7 D 2 L 13 SD -4 Pts 46
Sale P 22 W 7 D 1 L 14 SD -124 Pts 40
Worcester P 22 W 5 D 2 L 15 SD -196 Pts 33
Bristol P 22 W 3 D 0 L 19 SD -325 Pts 20
Click here for all this season's results
Aviva Premiership semi-finals (Saturday May, 20)
Exeter 18-16 Saracens, Sandy Park
Exeter tries: Nowell (43), Simmonds (80)
Conversions: Steenson (43)
Penalties: Steenson (26, 32)
Saracens tries: Wyles (57), Ellery (75)
Penalties: Farrell (5,15)
Exeter ended Saracens' hopes of a second successive European and domestic double in dramatic fashion at Sandy Park.Replacement back-row forward Sam Simmonds scored an 80th-minute try to secure an 18-16 home triumph and halt Saracens' reign as Aviva Premiership champions.Seven days after lifting the European Champions Cup by beating Clermont Auvergne, Saracens looked to have again dug deep as replacement wing Mike Ellery's 76th-minute touchdown appeared to floor the Chiefs.But Devon's finest, unbeaten in the Premiership since October, somehow clawed out a narrow victory following an earlier Jack Nowell try and eight points from skipper Gareth Steenson.
Wasps 21-20 Leicester, Ricoh Arena
Wasps tries: Beale (8), Bassett (78)
Conversions: Gopperth (8)
Penalties: Gopperth (2, 24, 40)
Leicester tries: Betham (27), Veainu (52)
Conversions: Burns (27,52)
Penalties: Burns (17,21)
Josh Bassett's late try sent Wasps into their first Aviva Premiership final for nine years as they edged out Leicester Tigers 21-20 at the Ricoh Arena. Jimmy Gopperth and Willie Le Roux sent Bassett into the corner with two minutes to play, to end the ever-dogged Leicester's stubborn resistance. Star man Kurtley Beale, who later limped off with a leg problem, grabbed Wasps' first score as they led early on but Leicester drew level at 13-13 courtesy of Peter Betham's score. Telusa Veainu's second-half try for the Tigers left Wasps throwing everything at a madcap recovery, with Bassett just finding time to turn the tide.
Form Guide: Last 5 Aviva Premiership results
WASPS
WON 21-20 v Leicester (H) - play-off semi-final
WON 35-15 Saracens (H)
LOST 13-32 v Harlequins (A)
WON 36-21 v Bristol (A)
WON 32-30 v Northampton (H)
EXETER
WON 18-16 v Saracens (H) - play-off semi-final
WON 34-20 v Gloucester (A)
WON 36-12 v Northampton (H)
WON 39-26 v Harlequins (A)
WON 38-34 v Bristol (H)
Wasps v Exeter: 2016/17 meetings
Wasps and Exeter have met three times this season, including once in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. Here we have the key match details from them all:
Exeter 35-35 Wasps, Aviva Premiership (February 12)
Exeter tries: Simmonds (9), Penalty (37), Maunder (26), Cowan-Dickie (44), Woodburn (50)
Conversions: Steenson (9,37,26,44,50)
Wasps tries: Wade (4), Penalty (14), Rieder (28), Eastmond (47), Simpson (70)
Conversions: Gopperth (4,14,28,47,70)
Summary: Exeter salvaged a 35-35 draw in a 10-try thriller against Aviva Premiership leaders Wasps despite playing the final 35 minutes with 14 men. Lock Johnny Hill was the man sent off for the Chiefs in a match which featured a penalty try for each side and four further tries apiece.Exeter's points came from tries by Sam Simmonds, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Olly Woodburn and Jack Maunder with Gareth Steenson converting those touchdowns plus the penalty try. Christian Wade, Kyle Eastmond, Joe Simpson and Alex Rieder scored Wasps' tries with Jimmy Gopperth adding five conversions.
Exeter 52-5 Wasps, Anglo-Welsh Cup (January 28)
Exeter tries: Campagnaro (2,15,53), Lees (9), Simmonds (26), Townsend (32), Malton (44), Turner (79)
Conversions: Simmonds (2,9,15,26,44,53)
Wasps tries: Rowlands (5)
Summary: Exeter kept their hopes of progressing to the Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-finals firmly alive with an eight-try thrashing of Wasps at Sandy Park. Italy international Michele Campagnaro scored a hat-trick for Exeter and there was a try apiece for Sam Simmonds, Mitch Lees, Shaun Malton, Lachie Turner and Stuart Townsend. Joe Simmonds converted six of the tries.Wasps' sole response was a try from Will Rowlands and the defeat - coupled with Harlequins' victory at Worcester - put them out of the competition.
Wasps 25-20 Exeter, Aviva Premiership (September 4)
Wasps tries: Gopperth (32), Robson (53), Taylor (64)
Conversions: Gopperth (53,64)
Penalties: Gopperth (18,79)
Exeter tries: Waldrom (4), Chudley (35)
Conversions: Slade (4,35)
Penalties: Slade (14,51)
Summary: Danny Cipriani's Wasps return ended in victorious fashion at the Ricoh Arena after Exeter - Aviva Premiership runners-up last season - lost a healthy lead to suffer a 25-20 opening weekend defeat. England international fly-half Cipriani, who made his first Premiership appearance for Wasps since May 2010 after rejoining them from Sale Sharks, had a solid, rather than spectacular afternoon, as Wasps fought back from 12 points adrift early in the second period.Centre Jimmy Gopperth, scrum-half Dan Robson and hooker Tommy Taylor all scored tries for Wasps, while Gopperth added two conversions and two penalties for a 15-point haul to thwart the Chiefs.Exeter bossed the opening 50 minutes, taking charge through touchdowns from number eight Thomas Waldrom and scrum-half Will Chudley, with fly-half Henry Slade kicking 10 points, but they were undone by Wasps' strong final quarter display.
Click here for all this season's results and final Aviva Premiership standings
Aviva Premiership: Previous Grand Finals
The teams who finished top of the table from 1987–2002 were crowned champions but from 2002-03, the Premiership final was introduced. Here are a list of the previous results:
2003: London Wasps 39-3 Gloucester
2004: London Wasps 10-6 Bath
2005: London Wasps 39-14 Leicester Tigers
2006: Sale Sharks 45-20 Leicester Tigers
2007: Leicester Tigers 44-16 Gloucester
2008: London Wasps 26-16 Leicester Tigers
2009: Leicester Tigers 10-9 London Irish
2010: Leicester Tigers 33-27 Saracens
2011: Saracens 22-18 Leicester Tigers
2012: Harlequins 30-23 Leicester Tigers
2013: Leicester Tigers 37-17 Northampton Saints
2014: Northampton Saints 24-20 (aet) Saracens
2015: Saracens 28-16 Bath
2016: Saracens 28-20 Exeter Chiefs