Harlequins completed a remarkable turnaround after a difficult start to the season by beating Exeter Chiefs 40-38 to clinch their first Premiership title for nine years.

A double from Louis Lynagh, a penalty try and scores from Wilco Louw, Alex Dombrandt and Andre Esterhuizen were too much for Exeter despite Jonny Gray, Alex Hepburn, Sam Simmonds, Ollie Devoto and Stuart Hogg crossing the whitewash.

Following an exhilarating conclusion to an exhilarating season, Quins No.8 Alex Dombrandt said that outsiders doubting the group acted as motivation for the squad.

"From the outside looking in, a lot of people doubted us and didn't give us a chance, but I think that galvanised this group," the 24-year-old said.

"We've got a lot of strong characters, a lot of great leaders in our group and that belief has always been there.

“Look, I don’t know what wins championships, but whoever scores more points than the other team wins the game, and we back ourselves to out-score anyone.”

Quins had just two league wins under former coach Paul Gustard when he left in January following a 27-27 draw with London Irish.

However, they’ve become one of the league’s most entertaining and high scoring sides under Billy Millard, who oversaw a thrilling rise up the table after taking charge.

Millard said: “Maybe it is a fairytale to the outside, but there was strong belief from weeks and weeks ago. I think it will be a few nights and few days of celebrations.

“For an old man like me, you know how special these are and you have got to roll your sleeves up and dig in, so we will be celebrating long and hard.”

Chiefs will be disappointed but can hold their heads high after both sides put on one of the best advertisements for English rugby in living memory.

Even after Quins killed the game with a converted try in the final moments, Chiefs struck back through Hogg to keep the West London side on their toes in the dying embers of the contest.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “There's nothing dramatically wrong with us, we've come up a bit short in the last game of the season in the last few minutes.

“The challenge is how do we stay as a good side, don't overreact the wrong way to losing today and make sure we honestly deal with the things we need to deal with.

"I actually think today is one of those lessons that can potentially move us on to the next level because we've all learnt a tough lesson over the last few weeks."