Exeter Chiefs player ratings vs Gloucester | 2026/27 Gallagher PREM

Exeter Chiefs player ratings: Exeter Chiefs were handed a difficult start to their Gallagher PREM campaign as Gloucester left Sandy Park with an emphatic 45-24 victory.

There were plenty of encouraging individual performances from the Chiefs, particularly from an explosive back-row of Ethan Roots, Kane James and Greg Fisilau, but Gloucester continually found ways through the home defence. Exeter remained dangerous with ball in hand and scored four tries of their own, though they were ultimately unable to contain their visitors as the contest opened up.

Here’s how the Exeter player rated:

15 Ben Hammersley – 5
A relatively quiet afternoon at the back. Made 27 metres from four carries but endured some difficult defensive moments, missing three tackles before being withdrawn after 63 minutes.

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 7
Was involved everywhere and remained one of Exeter’s biggest attacking threats, finishing with two line breaks and 71 metres from 13 carries. There were costly errors too, though. Dropped a kick under little pressure and went far too high on Joseph before being brushed aside for Gloucester’s spectacular second-half try.

13 Henry Slade – 6
Showed his quality when he broke cleanly from his own half late in the contest and carried nine times for 51 metres. His kicking from the tee was inconsistent, however, and he also missed two tackles as Gloucester repeatedly found space.

12 Will Butt – 5
A fairly understated outing in midfield. Did not have the attacking influence of those around him but worked hard without the ball, completing six tackles before Wimbush replaced him on the hour.

11 Olly Woodburn – 6
One of Exeter’s steadier performers. Made 69 metres from 13 carries and produced a line break, while his defensive awareness was evident when he held Loader up in contact to earn a scrum. Also completed ten tackles.

10 Harvey Skinner – 5
Produced an excellent final pass to release Roots for his first-half score and generally brought Exeter’s dangerous runners into the contest well. Carried seven times and made seven tackles but was unable to wrestle control of proceedings away from Gloucester.

9 Stephen Varney – 6
Scored against his former club after tracking Fisilau’s break brilliantly and covered 57 metres despite carrying only three times. There were several costly negatives, though, conceding two penalties and falling completely for Joseph’s dummy as the Gloucester wing raced through.

1 Ethan Burger – 6
One of Exeter’s most industrious performers despite the defeat. Carried 13 times, more than any other front-row forward, and completed 14 tackles without missing one. Added an offload before departing after 57 minutes.

2 Jack Yeandle – 5
Got through plenty of work during his stint. Carried 11 times and completed seven tackles, providing Exeter with a steady set-piece presence before Gulley replaced him during the second half.

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott – 6
Forced his way over from close range for Exeter’s opening try but discipline undermined an otherwise productive outing. Conceded two penalties, including an unnecessary infringement at a ruck inside his own 22 that relieved significant pressure on Gloucester.

4 Dafydd Jenkins – 6
A huge defensive effort from the Wales international. Completed 16 tackles, second only to Fisilau among Exeter players, while missing just one. Did much of his best work away from the spotlight.

5 Harry Wilson – 5
Put in a solid shift before being replaced in the closing stages. Completed all nine of his tackles and carried six times, providing plenty of industry in the second row despite Exeter’s difficulties.

6 Ethan Roots – 7
Produced a superb individual score shortly before half-time, charging 20 metres down the right and handing off two Gloucester defenders. Earlier killed a dangerous maul and won a turnover near his own line. Finished with 72 metres from a match-high 17 carries, although losing the ball close to the Gloucester line after the break was costly.

7 Kane James – 6
One of Exeter’s most dangerous carriers. Played an important role in Iosefa-Scott’s score and topped the match with 73 metres from only eight carries. His enormous late break, fending away Atkinson before Joseph eventually forced him into touch, typified an explosive performance.

8 Greg Fisilau – 6
Exeter’s outstanding performer despite the result. His break from his own half created Roots’ try before he burst through again in the move that ultimately sent Varney over. Registered two line breaks, 59 metres from 14 carries and an offload, while his 19 tackles were the most by any Exeter player.

Replacements – 6
Louie Gulley was comfortably the standout, producing a superb carry through three defenders and an offload in the build-up to Varney’s try before marking his PREM debut with a try of his own.