Exeter Chiefs beat Leicester Tigers 24-10 at Sandy Park on Sunday in Round Eight of the 2025/26 Gallagher PREM

PA Sport and John Evely Sports Writer

07:14, 29 Dec 2025

Exeter Chiefs’ Assistant Coach Dave Walder . (Photo by Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images)

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

Fisilau scored the Chiefs’ opening try, helped set up the decisive touch down finished by Stephen Varney and was named player of the match for an impactful afternoon in attack and defence to back up a season of impressive outings.

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.”

With Saracen’s Tom Willis heading to Bordeaux Begles next season, making him unavilable for the international selection, there is a vacancy in the England squad for an out and out number eight, with flankers Ben Earl and Henry Pollock packing down at the back of the scrum during the Autumn internationals.

Exeter finished 2024 bottom of the Prem table but signed 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, the first by Campbell Ridl, the second by Will Goodwick-Clarke, 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.”