Exeter Chiefs delivered a powerful statement of intent with a commanding 24-10 victory over Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park, a result that propels them to within a single point of the Gallagher Premiership summit.
Fisilau Sets the Standard in Dominant Display
In front of a capacity crowd of 15,000, the Chiefs laid down a formidable physical marker. The tone was set early by the barnstorming No. 8, Greg Fisilau, who crashed over for the opening try after just seven minutes. His all-action performance epitomised Exeter's renewed hunger, a stark contrast to their struggles at the foot of the table just twelve months ago.
While not as free-flowing as their famous win at Saracens before Christmas, Rob Baxter's side created numerous opportunities. They were denied a try bonus point only by last-gasp errors, with Campbell Ridl and Will Goodrick-Clarke both losing the ball over the line. Nevertheless, the four-point haul was enough to see them leapfrog Bath into second place, setting up a pivotal showdown between the two sides next weekend.
New-Look Chiefs Showcase Emerging Talent
Exeter's resurgence is being built on a fresh generation of talent. The 20-year-old wing Campbell Ridl, a product of Exeter University, announced himself with a spectacular 50-metre solo try in the first half. Picking up turnover ball, he chipped over the top and showed blistering pace to score, extending the lead to 14-0.
The Chiefs' physical edge, a hallmark of their most successful eras, has returned with a new-look pack. The hard-nosed carrying of players like Ethan Roots and the tackle-busting energy of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, whose huge hit on Ollie Hassell-Collins reverberated around the ground, overwhelmed Leicester for long periods. Scrum-half Stephen Varney sealed the win with a 71st-minute breakaway try, expertly set up by the influential Fisilau.
Leicester Left to Rue Slow Start
For Leicester, under first-year head coach and former Exeter lock Geoff Parling, it was a frustrating afternoon. They found themselves 14-0 down and struggling to gain a foothold. A try from lock Cameron Henderson, capitalising on a rare Exeter lapse, gave them a lifeline, making the half-time score 14-7.
However, the Tigers' resolve was not enough to mount a serious comeback. Fly-half Billy Searle was sin-binned in the second half, and Parling was left to lament his side's lack of edge. "For the first time this season we lacked a bit of edge in the first 30 minutes. That wasn't our DNA today," he said post-match.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter admitted to slight disappointment at missing the bonus point but was pleased with the overall performance. With momentum firmly building and a squad looking fresher than some rivals laden with internationals, the Chiefs have positioned themselves as genuine title contenders as the season enters its decisive phase.
