Exeter 24 – 10 Leicester

Greg Fisilau was named man of the match for his function in Exeter’s victory over Leicester Tigers; Exeter head into 2026 one level behind Gallagher Premiership league leaders Northampton Saints after lacking out on a bonus level of their win

Greg Fisilau (L) celebrates with staff mate Stephen Varney throughout Exeter’s win over Leicester

Greg Fisilau impressed a resurgent Exeter to a 24-10 Gallagher Premiership win over Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park, transferring them inside a degree of league leaders Northampton Saints.

England A No 8 Fisilau ran within the opening attempt and in addition performed a key function in Stephen Varney’s 72nd-minute rating that lastly swung an absorbing contest out of the Tigers’ attain, profitable him the man-of-the-match award.

Excellent wing Campbell Ridl additionally crossed however Exeter completed one attempt wanting claiming the bonus level that may have despatched them into 2026 as Premiership leaders.

It nonetheless represents a exceptional transformation by Rob Baxter’s aspect, who completed backside of final season’s desk after a disappointing marketing campaign and had been taking part in in entrance of a thinned out house crowd.

Exeter miss out on high spot regardless of house win

A packed home witnessed the battle between fourth and fifth place and whereas Leicester return house empty-handed, they had been aggressive till Varney struck.

Leicester had been compelled to cope with early stress, with Andrea Zambonin scragging scrum-half Tom Whiteley and initiating waves of assaults that ended with Fisilau racing over from the 22.

Exeter had been in management and frequently discovering area within the broad channels, with Ridl launched down the left wing within the twenty fifth minute and chipping into area earlier than benefiting from a sort bounce to complete a positive solo rating.

Exeter Chiefs’ Campbell Ridl scored a attempt towards Leicester

A dynamic attempt by Harvey Skinner was dominated out for a push by Will Rigg and it proved to be a crucial 14-point swing as Leicester struck right away, with winger Adam Radwan making floor earlier than passing interaction from the forwards ended with Cameron Henderson crossing.

TV cameras confirmed Tigers head coach Geoff Parling studying his gamers the riot act at half-time and when the sport resumed they’d the wind at their backs.

A promising raid into the left nook was defended with a turnover and as soon as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso had used his energy and footwork to propel Exeter downfield, Henry Slade landed a penalty.

Slade was tackled dangerously, leading to a yellow card for Samuel Williams, however the Chiefs failed to attain a degree whereas the Leicester substitute was within the sin-bin regardless of producing some harmful moments in assaults.

Upon Williams’ return, fly-half Billy Searle was despatched to the sin-bin for coming into from the aspect as Skinner fell inches quick with a dash for the road. Leicester had been conceding a gradual stream of penalties and had been killed off when Varney raced over after Olly Woodburn had initiated the counter-attack with a towering catch.

Fisilau was additionally concerned within the transfer that led to Varney touching down and, as Exeter hunted the bonus level within the closing moments, they twice dropped the ball over the road.

Walder: England cannot ignore Fisilau!

Exeter assault coach Dave Walder insists it’s only a matter of time earlier than England head coach Steve Borthwick takes a more in-depth have a look at Fisilau, following his blockbusting type this season.

“I really like working with Greg [Fisilau],” Walder mentioned. “He is received every part you’d need from a back-rower. He is bodily, he is abrasive, very game-smart, however he is additionally received pretty gentle abilities.

“He is taking part in very properly in the meanwhile. If he retains taking part in like that, I might think about England cannot ignore him, however you’d must ask them that query.”

On lacking out on the bonus level to maneuver high, Walder added: “This morning when you’d provided us a win, we would have taken it. However I believe deep down we’re a little bit bit upset with our accuracy and to not rating ourselves an additional bonus level.

“On the identical time that is an indication of the place we have come from and the place we’re in the meanwhile. We’re not too centered on the place we’re within the league, it is in regards to the course of. The boys are working laborious and have an excellent perspective and defence. We’re in a extremely optimistic place.”

Leicester head coach Geoff Parling mentioned: “I believed it was the poorest now we have been emotionally in turning up for a
sport. It is the primary time this season that now we have lacked a little bit of edge, particularly in that first half-hour.

“We’re not ok but to have these off days. That is the primary time, and the group will admit it, that we weren’t fairly on edge by way of our collisions and the way we had been taking part in. We’re again at house towards Saracens now and we have got to play with the correct edge as a result of that for me wasn’t our DNA immediately.”