Sandy Park was buzzing with anticipation as Exeter Chiefs hosted Leicester Tigers in a pivotal Round Eight clash of the 2025/26 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season. Both teams entered the contest with top-four ambitions and plenty to prove: Exeter, riding a five-match unbeaten streak, and Leicester, hoping to assert their recent dominance in this storied rivalry. By the final whistle, it was the Chiefs who prevailed 24-10, climbing to second in the league table—a remarkable turnaround for a side that sat bottom just a year ago.
The build-up to this matchup was laced with storylines. Exeter, fresh off a thrilling 30-24 comeback over Saracens, looked to extend their hot streak at home. Leicester, meanwhile, had dispatched Gloucester 45-14 in their previous outing and boasted four wins from the last five meetings with Exeter, including a 28-15 triumph in January 2025. Yet, as the teams ran out onto the pitch in front of a sold-out Sandy Park crowd of 15,000, it was clear that recent form, not history, would dictate the day’s proceedings.
Exeter’s starting XV featured a dynamic blend of youth and experience: Olly Woodburn at fullback, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Campbell Ridl on the wings, and Henry Slade marshaling the midfield. Up front, Scott Sio, Joseph Dweba, and Bachuki Tchumbadze anchored the scrum, while captain Dafydd Jenkins led the pack alongside Andrea Zambonin. Leicester fielded a formidable lineup of their own, with England international Freddie Steward at fullback, Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassell-Collins out wide, and a powerful back row led by Olly Cracknell and Tommy Reffell.
The match began with Exeter on the front foot. Early pressure inside the Leicester 22 yielded a breakthrough as Greg Fisilau, the Chiefs’ barnstorming number eight, broke a tackle and powered over for the opening try. Henry Slade’s conversion made it 7-0, and the home crowd erupted. Fisilau’s performance throughout was nothing short of sensational—his powerful carries and game intelligence drew high praise from Exeter attack coach Dave Walder, who told TNT Sports, “Greg’s got everything you’d want from a back-rower. He’s physical, abrasive, very game-smart, but he’s also got lovely soft skills. If he keeps playing like that, I’d imagine England can’t ignore him.”
The Chiefs doubled their lead with a moment of magic from Campbell Ridl. The young wing, making only his second Premiership start, scorched down the left touchline, chipped over Freddie Steward, and benefitted from a fortuitous bounce to dot down beneath the posts. Slade again added the extras, and Exeter looked in full control at 14-0.
Leicester, however, refused to fold. A slick move involving Jamie Blamire and Olly Cracknell sent Cameron Henderson charging over for a try, converted by Billy Searle, cutting the deficit to 14-7. The Tigers’ resilience was on display, particularly in defense, as they weathered a series of Exeter attacks and even saw two Chiefs tries disallowed in the first half—one for a Will Rigg push and another for a knock-on at the line. The halftime score remained 14-7, leaving everything to play for.
The second half saw the physicality ramp up and discipline tested on both sides. Leicester’s Sam Williams was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tip tackle on Slade, and ten minutes later, Billy Searle followed him to the bin for a cynical infringement at the goal line. Despite being down to 14 men for much of the half, Leicester’s defense held firm, denying Exeter the bonus-point try on several occasions. The Chiefs, for their part, were left to rue missed chances, with both Ridl and replacement Will Goodrick-Clarke failing to ground the ball over the line in the dying moments.
Exeter’s third try, which effectively sealed the victory, was a showcase of their attacking flair and Fisilau’s individual brilliance. Picking up the ball inside his own half, Fisilau burst through the heart of the Leicester defense before executing a textbook two-on-one to send Stephen Varney racing in from 30 meters out. Slade’s conversion pushed the score to 24-7, and while Searle added a late penalty for Leicester, the Tigers never truly threatened a comeback.
Post-match, Leicester head coach Geoff Parling was candid in his assessment: “It is the poorest we have been emotionally. It is the first time this season we have lacked a bit of edge, especially in that first 30 minutes. When we got quick ball we looked dangerous. I need to take a look at our preparation during the week.” Parling’s frustration was understandable—his side spent 20 minutes of the second half with a man down and failed to capitalize on their few attacking opportunities.
On the other side, Exeter’s coaching staff reflected on a job well done, albeit with room for improvement. “The emotional energy we turned up with today was probably a little bit more than Leicester,” Walder noted. “Disappointed with our accuracy in key moments which would have made it a bit more comfortable for us but ultimately we would have taken a win this morning. It is based around hard work. A marker of where we have come from is how we are disappointed not to get the bonus-point tries.”
The result leaves Exeter Chiefs just one point behind league leaders Northampton at the close of 2025, a testament to the transformation overseen by director of rugby Rob Baxter. “There was a line drawn in the sand by Rob day one of pre-season. To see the way we are performing is great to be a part of,” Walder added. The Chiefs’ resurgence has been built on a foundation of hard work, defensive grit, and the emergence of young stars like Fisilau and Ridl.
For Leicester, the defeat means they end the calendar year outside the top four, with questions to answer ahead of their next fixture. Yet, as Parling pointed out, the Tigers have the talent and structure to bounce back—provided they rediscover their trademark edge and emotional intensity.
All told, the final Gallagher Premiership match of 2025 delivered drama, skill, and a glimpse of what’s to come in the new year. Exeter’s rise from the league’s basement to title contention is one of the stories of the season, and with players like Fisilau making their case for international honors, Sandy Park could be in for a memorable spring. As the new year dawns, both the Chiefs and Tigers know the race for playoff spots is only just heating up.
