Saracens reclaimed top spot from the Chiefs, with England stars Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola among their try-scorers just a week after the Red Rose completed a Six Nations clean sweep by beating France in Paris.
“It says a bit about Owen, having not played at 10 for eight or nine weeks, to produce that kind of performance, and that goes for all of our international players,” Saracens head coach McCall said.
“To win a Grand Slam and the high of that, and then to turn in the performance that they all did today says something about them.” England head coach Eddie Jones looked on at Allianz Park, with a third of his Grand Slam-winning team – Farrell, Vunipola, his brother Mako, Maro Itoje and George Kruis – all starting.
Full-back Alex Goode, flanker Jackson Wray and wing Chris Wyles also touched down for Saracens, while Farrell kicked three conversions and a penalty, with Goode adding the extras to Wyles’ 75th-minute effort.
Exeter – whose points came from number eight Thomas Waldrom’s ninth and 10th league tries of the season, two Gareth Steenson penalties and a late Will Hooley conversion – were outgunned in every key area by a Farrell-inspired home team.
Elsewhere, Worcester recorded four successive Premiership victories for the first time in their history after beating London Irish 12-6, a result that all but ensures the Warriors’ top-flight survival. Worcester followed up wins over Newcastle, Gloucester and Harlequins by seeing off fellow relegation- battlers Irish in an error-ridden and dour contest at Sixways.
There were no tries in the game, with Tom Heathcote kicking four penalties for Worcester to two from Greig Tonks for the Exiles.
Two second-half tries gave Bath a narrow 17-12 victory at local rivals Gloucester. Three penalties from Greig Laidlaw had the hosts 9-7 ahead at the interval, with Chris Cook’s try keeping Bath breathing down their necks.
Semesa Rokoduguni’s superb finish put Bath in the lead for the first time before Scotland captain Laidlaw levelled the scores with his fourth three pointer of the afternoon.
George Ford then missed a penalty as it remained 12-12, but Levi Douglas’ late try secured a dogged success.
