'He’s physical, he’s abrasive, very game-smart... England can’t ignore him'

Greg Fisilau has been backed to catch England’s attention after he inspired Exeter to a 24-10 Gallagher Prem victory over Leicester at Sandy Park.

Fisilau scored the Chiefs’ opening try, helped set-up the decisive touch down finished by Stephen Varney and was named man of the match for an impactful afternoon in attack and defence.

The 22-year-old number eight has appeared for England A, but Exeter attack coach Dave Walder insists it is only a matter of time before Steve Borthwick takes a closer look at a player who has been in blockbusting form this season.

“I love working with Greg. 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,” Walder said.

“He’s playing very well at the moment. If he keeps playing like that, I’d imagine England can’t ignore him, but you’d have to ask them that question.”

Exeter finished 2024 bottom of the Prem table but sign off 2025 in second place following a remarkable transformation.

Top spot was theirs for the taking but the bonus point they needed slipped through their fingertips after the ball was spilt over the line twice in the closing moments, limiting them to three tries for the afternoon.

“This morning if you’d offered us a win, we’d have taken it. But I think deep down we’re a little bit disappointed with our accuracy and not to score ourselves an extra bonus point,” Walder said.

“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 read his Tigers the riot act at half-time following a poor opening 30 minutes and the former England lock felt they had failed to do themselves justice.

“I thought it was the poorest we have been emotionally in turning up for a game,” Parling said.

“It’s the first time this season that we have lacked a bit of edge, especially in that first 30 minutes.

“When we got quick ball and speed of ball we looked dangerous, but I have to look at how we prepped the week because I just didn’t think we were on today.

“We had an intermittent training week, sometimes we were good and sometimes we were bad.

“We’re not good enough yet to have those off days. That’s the first time, and the group will admit it, that we weren’t quite on edge in terms of our collisions and how we were playing.

“We’re back at home against Saracens now and we’ve got to play with the right edge because that for me wasn’t our DNA today.”