Greg Fisilau was named man of the match for his position 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
Final Up to date: 28/12/25 7:06pm
Greg Fisilau (L) celebrates with workforce 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, shifting them inside a degree of league leaders Northampton Saints.
England A No 8 Fisilau ran within the opening attempt and likewise performed a key position in Stephen Varney’s 72nd-minute rating that lastly swung an absorbing contest out of the Tigers’ attain, successful him the man-of-the-match award.
Excellent wing Campbell Ridl additionally crossed however Exeter completed one attempt wanting claiming the bonus level that might 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 dwelling crowd.
Exeter miss out on high spot regardless of dwelling win
A packed home witnessed the battle between fourth and fifth place and whereas Leicester return dwelling empty-handed, they had been aggressive till Varney struck.
Leicester had been pressured 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 often discovering area within the large 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 immediately, 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 that they had 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 alternative 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 brief 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 better have a look at Fisilau, following his blockbusting kind this season.
“I love working with Greg [Fisilau],” Walder mentioned. “He’s got everything you’d want from a back-rower. He’s physical, he’s abrasive, very game-smart, but he’s also got lovely soft skills.
“He is taking part in very properly in the intervening time. If he retains taking part in like that, I would 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 if you happen to’d provided us a win, we would have taken it. However I believe deep down we’re a bit bit disillusioned with our accuracy and to not rating ourselves an additional bonus level.
“At the same time that’s a sign of where we’ve come from and where we are at the moment. We’re not too focused on where we are in the league, it’s about the process. The boys are working hard and have a great attitude and defence. We’re in a really positive place.”
Leicester head coach Geoff Parling mentioned: “I thought it was the poorest we have been emotionally in turning up for a
game. It’s the first time this season that we have lacked a bit of edge, especially in that first 30 minutes.
“We’re not adequate 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 dwelling towards Saracens now and we have got to play with the suitable edge as a result of that for me wasn’t our DNA at present.”
