Exeter beat Leicester to end year second in Prem
MATCH REPORT: Exeter climbed up to second in the English Prem in the final match of the year after a 24-10 victory over Leicester at a packed Sandy Park on Sunday.
Greg Fisilau was the star of the show for Exeter as he ran in the opening try and also played a key role in Stephen Varney’s 72nd-minute touchdown that sealed victory.
Outstanding wing Campbell Ridl also crossed, but Exeter finished one try short of claiming the bonus point that would have sent them into 2026 as Prem leaders.
But just one defeat in their opening eight matches of the season represents a remarkable transformation by Rob Baxter’s side, who finished last year bottom of the table and playing in front of thinned-out crowds at Sandy Park.
Leicester would have climbed into the top four with victory, but remain just outside the play-off places.
The scorers:
For Exeter:
Tries: Fisilau, Ridl, Varney
Cons: Slade 3
Pen: Slade
For Leicester:
Tries: Henderson
Con: Searle
Pen: Searle
Teams:
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Will Rigg, 11 Campbell Ridl, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Greg Fisilau, 7 Ethan Roots, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (captain), 3 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Jimmy Roots, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Kane James, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Dan John.
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Solomone Kata, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Tom Whiteley, 8 Olly Cracknell, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Joaquin Moro, 5 Ollie Chessum (captain), 4 Cameron Henderson, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie Blamire, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Finn Theobold-Thomas, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Will Hurd, 19 James Thompson, 20 Sam Williams, 21 Jack van Poortvliet, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb.
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
Assistant referees: Joe James and Simon Harding
TMO: Dean Richards
