Exeter begin long spell without Ikitau with routine win over Tigers

Greg Fisilau inspired resurgent Exeter to a 24-10 Gallagher Prem victory over Leicester at Sandy Park that sees the Chiefs end 2025 in second place.

England A number eight Fisilau ran in the opening try and also played a key role in Stephen Varney’s 72nd-minute touch down that finally swung an absorbing contest out of the Tigers’ reach, winning him the man of the match award.

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.

It nonetheless represents a remarkable transformation by Rob Baxter’s side after they finished last year bottom of the table and playing in front of thinned out crowds at Sandy Park.

A packed house witnessed the battle between fourth and fifth place and while Leicester return home empty-handed, they were competitive until Varney struck.

They were forced to deal with early pressure with Andrea Zambonin scragging scrum-half Tom Whiteley, initiating waves of attacks that ended with Fisilau racing over from the 22.

Dafydd Jenkins, Ethan Roots and Tom Hooper were prominent in an impressive opening from the Chiefs, with Fisilau’s carrying also a constant threat.

Leicester made occasional visits to the home 22 but Exeter were in control, regularly finding space in the wide channels, including in the 25th minute when Ridl was released down the left wing.

Chipping into space and benefiting from a kind bounce, Ridl then used his pace to finish a fine solo score.

Exeter were proving masters at exploiting the space in Leicester’s defence but a dynamic try by Harvey Skinner was ruled out for a push by Will Rigg.

It proved to be a critical 14-point swing because Leicester struck straight away, wing Adam Radwan making ground before passing interplay from the forwards ended with Cameron Henderson crossing.

TV cameras showed Tigers head coach Geoff Parling reading his players the riot act at half-time and when the game resumed they had the wind at their backs.

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

Slade was tackled dangerously, resulting in a yellow card for Samuel Williams, but the Chiefs failed to score a point while the Leicester replacement was in the sin-bin despite producing some dangerous moments in attacks.

Upon Williams’ return, fly-half Billy Searle was sent to the sin-bin for entering from the side as Skinner fell inches short with a sprint for the line.

Leicester were conceding a steady stream of penalties to make their task harder and having spent time probing the home defence, they were killed off when Varney raced over after Olly Woodburn had initiated the counter-attack with a towering catch.

Fisilau was also involved in the move that led to Varney touching down and, as Exeter hunted the bonus point in the closing moments, they twice dropped the ball over the line.