Brian O'Driscoll questions Santiago Carreras as Bath fly-half shuns drop goal in dramatic end to PREM semi-final loss to Exeter Chiefs

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Brian O'Driscoll believes Bath will rue Santiago Carreras' decision not to go for the posts "long into the summer" after Ethan Burger's try completed a stunning turnaround for Exeter Chiefs.

Highlights: Exeter seal dramatic comeback victory over Bath to set up Northampton final

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In a Gallagher PREM play-off semi-final classic at the Recreation Ground, Chiefs ran in 17 unanswered second-half points to stun defending champions Bath on their own turf and set up a showdown with Northampton Saints at Twickenham on Saturday, June 20, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Rob Baxter's team can look forward to a first PREM final since 2021 but, for long spells of the opening period, that prospect had seemed unlikely.

Exeter were second best in almost every department during a one-sided opening 40 minutes but the visitors roused themselves to become the first away side in five years to win in the play-offs.

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Chiefs also extended their winning streak in semi-finals to seven games having trailed 26-10 at the interval.

Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau and Burger all crossed during their fightback, while Bath's challenge was further undermined when Joe Cokanasiga was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

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The hosts still had an opportunity to snatch victory in the closing stages and mounted a sustained assault on Exeter's try line, stringing together more than 40 phases deep inside opposition territory.

However, rather than opting for a drop goal, they continued to press for a try and were ultimately held up over the line, bringing their season to a sudden and heartbreaking conclusion.

It included a golden opportunity for Carreras to attempt to take the three points in front of the posts but the Argentina international "never looked interested", according to TNT Sports pundit O'Driscoll.

"You've got to fire a shot," the former Ireland centre said. "About 15 phases where they got into position, maybe it was even a bit later than that, maybe it was 18, 19, 20 phases, when they were deep down in the territory they wanted to be.

"That is the prime position to find yourself in, under the sticks, maybe favouring one side of the post as a right-footer, maybe, but it's set up on the left-hand side.

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"The problem is, it's been an 80-minute game. Your forwards are exhausted, there's lots of heat out here, there's so much stress - you're going to knock the ball on or you're going to make an error. You have to take that away from the rest of your team.

"It reminds me a little bit of Wales' semi-final in the World Cup 2011 [against France, a 9-8 defeat], maybe not 40 phases, but you never actually got one away and, if you miss it, so be it.

"Akin to the 2003 World Cup [when Jonny Wilkinson's drop goal beat Australia], the best way to go and set up a drop goal is still to continue to play attacking rugby, to feel as though you're going one more phase, because then the defence is back on their heels, not waiting to sprint off the line.

"If you set it up, that's where it gets blocked down. Whereas you have to go for it, go for it, go for it, and then when you get a bit of momentum, go for it, that's the best place to pull the trigger.

"Unfortunately, Carreras didn't look at any point like he was clearly interested, although he almost did score himself right at the death from an attack.

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"But the more phases you play, the more you run the risk of a knock-on or an exhausted pass not going to hand or, in the end, held up over the line, which is hugely frustrating.

"They'll think about that over the summer, they'll rue the missed opportunity of just taking a shot. You can never blame anyone for missing a shot, you've got to take a shot."

It was perhaps unsurprising that Carreras did not seek the option, given he has never scored a drop goal for Argentina, or former clubs Gloucester or Bath.

Former Wales captain Sam Warbuton told TNT Sports: "I feel bad saying it but Carreras has to step up, he has to step up at that moment. We were watching it on the screen, I bet there were No. 10s screaming at the TV. It was the perfect opportunity to take the three points.

"Your forwards had gone 80 minutes into the game, over 30 phases."

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'Only obvious choice when they don't score try'

Baxter showed sympathy towards Carreras, who has played only occasionally at fly-half this season.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the Exeter director of rugby said: "I wasn't surprised at all. Bath have scored so many tries by keeping the ball in hand in those situations, including beating us here earlier in the season.

"Why are they going to revert to something that is alien to them when they have huge success in another area? It's only the obvious choice when they don't score the try. That is what rugby is like."

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan later explained to TNT Sports why the decision was taken not to go for a drop goal at the end.

"We were set up for the drop goal and we were set up to take it wide," said Van Graan. "Ultimately, the decision was made to pick and go and I’ll back the team.

"On reflection, there was so much space on the outside but we win together and we lose together.

"From an effort and intent point of view, I can’t fault these players, and it came down to the last action of the game."

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