Immanuel Feyi-Waboso marked his Exeter Chiefs return with two tries as his side staged an astonishing comeback draw at Northampton Saints.
The England winger had been out of club rugby since December with a shoulder problem and scored just four minutes into their Prem season opener at Franklin’s Gardens.
Despite the early blip, Saints seemed to have wrapped up the win by half-time as debutant Edoardo Todaro scored two tries and Alex Coles, Tom Pearson and Tom Litchfield also went over in a devastating spell of attacking rugby.
Exeter stormed back with four unanswered tries in the second half as Ross Vintcent added two to scores from Paul Brown-Bampoe and Feyi-Waboso’s second, which came as he hobbled over the line. Chiefs boss Rob Baxter confirmed after the game that it was cramp rather than a muscle injury.
With home optimism high for a successful new campaign following their exploits in reaching the European Champions Cup final last season, Franklin’s Gardens was packed out to see a Saints side boasting three exciting debutants in Todaro, Anthony Belleau and giant South African lock JJ Van Der Mescht.
But France international Belleau got off to a poor start, his attempted short kick-off failing to make 10 metres, and Saints were caught napping as Feyi-Waboso picked up from a ruck, ducked under a tackle and raced over the line to silence the home crowd.
Northampton were not behind for long as Saints turned on the style with five tries in 22 minutes, sparked by Coles crashing over from short range.
Pearson finished another flowing move wide on the left before 19-year-old Todaro marked a dream debut by scoring Saints’ third after an outrageous reverse pass from James Ramm.
Litchfield benefited from a delicious Fraser Dingwall short pass and then Todaro had his second try as Saints threatened to run away from the reeling Chiefs.
Exeter somehow dredged some belief into the second half, and as Northampton eased off on the accelerator, clawed their way back into the game.
Brown-Bampoe, who scored 21 tries last season, got his first of this campaign, but even when excellent aerial work from Feyi-Waboso teed up Vintcent’s first try, it seemed like a couple of consolations.
Saints’ sleepiness was exposed however as Jack Yeandle’s low, sharp throw from a line-out sent Vintcent over for another and suddenly Rob Baxter’s side were within striking distance.
Filled with belief, Exeter produced some thrilling rugby of their own, and when Stephen Varney looped a reverse pass which could be judged to be either inspired or wild, Chiefs worked the ball wide right and Feyi-Waboso managed to limp over the line.
With the scores level Saints roused themselves but even when Josh Hodge received a 20-minute red card for head-to-head contact in a tackle on Sam Graham as the back rower was set to score, Chiefs held on for a share of the points.
Chiefs thought they had snatched an incredible late win when Henry Slade went over, only for the video referee to spot an unnecessary forward pass from Brown-Bampoe in the build-up.