In the season of feasts, Exeter could not have made much more of a meal of this if they had tried. The Chiefs climbed up to second with victory over Leicester but the hosts’ inability to find that valuable fourth try, and its accompanying bonus point, cost them ending the calendar year at the summit of the Prem table.
In the season of feasts, Exeter could not have made much more of a meal of this if they had tried. The Chiefs climbed up to second with victory over Leicester but the hosts’ inability to find that valuable fourth try, and its accompanying bonus point, cost them ending the calendar year at the summit of the Prem table.
It was not until Stephen Varney’s score in the 72nd minute that the Tigers – who now end the year outside the top four – were put to bed. The visitors to a sold-out Sandy Park attacked in a shaky, sketchy manner, but they managed to cling on until Varney’s score, having played 20 minutes of the second half with 14 players following consecutive yellow cards, and keeping out Exeter time and again. The hosts had four try-scoring opportunities ruined – two of which actually got over the line – in the first half, and both Campbell Ridl and Will Goodrick-Clarke failed to ground the ball at the death for the bonus-point score.
But the Chiefs were worthy if somewhat sloppy victors against a side which offered little cut and thrust. Greg Fisilau, on the other hand, offered plenty, and it was the No 8’s burst through the heart of the Leicester defence which set up Varney’s score. The 22-year-old, an England under-20 two years ago, has been in a rich vein of form of late and in this uninspiring Exeter victory Fisilau looked a cut above, against an all-international back row opposite.
Fisilau’s 72nd-minute surge was the seminal moment for the Chiefs but the No 8 ignited the hosts early on. One abrasive carry, with clattering leg-drive, was followed by another in the same area of the field, against a decimated Leicester defence, which left Cameron Henderson for dead. The opening score was artisanal, the break-and-pass for Varney more artistry; but that combination is one which suggests that Fisilau might be ready for a shot at the Test arena. Steve Borthwick, the England head coach, has back-rowers coming out of his ears at present but with no Tom Willis and Hoskins Sotutu not arriving in Geordieland until next season, Borthwick could always use a barnstorming No 8. Fisilau is developing into that.
"The bludgeon, then the scalpel..." 💥
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Greg Fisilau sails through to open the scoring for Exeter 💨
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/1wnNYBKD6A
“Greg’s got everything you’d want from a back-rower,” said Dave Walder, Exeter attack coach. “He’s physical, abrasive, very game-smart, but he’s also got lovely soft skills. I’m really enjoying working with him. If he keeps playing like that, I’d imagine England can’t ignore him.”
After Fisilau’s opener, the Tigers’ claws could only cling on. There were heroic moments from Leicester to prevent the scoreline getting away from them in the first half, but there was rub of the green from officialdom, too. A cannonball Solomone Kata counter-ruck first saved the Tigers; Joe Heyes and Henderson held up Bachuki Tchumbadze; Harvey Skinner’s try was ruled out generously for a Will Rigg push on Izaia Perese; and, Jack van Poortvliet, on earlier than planned for Tom Whiteley, won a holding-on penalty on his own line. It should be said that, in a desperate cause, Van Poortvliet injected energy and purpose into an insipid Leicester attack.
The Tigers could only cling on for so long before Exeter struck again, with the pick of their tries. Ridl, the England under-20s wing, scorched down the left after a sloppy Leicester line-out. Ridl, who only made his Prem debut last weekend in the victory at Saracens, chipped over Freddie Steward and the bounce left Ollie Hassell-Collins floundering. The wing collected, scored under the sticks, and Sandy Park was cacophonous.
Leicester managed a try of their own when Jamie Blamire, Olly Cracknell – on his return from injury – and Henderson all combined to send the lock over but that was virtually the only shot the Tigers fired all match.
That is LOVELY from Leicester 😮💨
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Cam Henderson helps Tigers reduce the deficit 💪
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/qmbggdrvj0
“It’s the first game we’ve played this season where we looked off in the first 30 minutes,” said Geoff Parling, Leicester’s head coach. “I didn’t feel we were right during the warm-up. Obviously, I’ve done something wrong this week and I need to look at myself.”
After half-time, when Heyes was harshly penalised at the scrum, Henry Slade extended Exeter’s lead to 10 points. Leicester’s goose looked cooked moments later, with Sam Williams sin-binned for a tip-tackle on Slade. And when Billy Searle followed 10 minutes later for a cynical goal-line infringement, the Tigers’ challenge was ended. A late Rusi Tuima yellow card for head contact made no difference. Fisilau burst, Varney pounced, and Exeter’s win was secured; albeit spilt chances from Ridl and Goodrick-Clarke prevented the happiest of New Years for Walder, Rob Baxter and Exeter.
Consider it sealed ✉️
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Stephen Varney registers Exeter's third of the afternoon at Sandy Park 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/oe5xDGeTKK
Match details
Scoring sequence: 5-0 Fisilau try, 7-0 Slade con, 12-0 Ridl try, 14-0 Slade con, 14-5 Henderson try, 14-7 Searle con, 17-7 Slade pen, 22-7 Varney try, 24-7 Slade con, 24-10 Searle pen.
Exeter: O Woodburn; I Feyi-Waboso, H Slade, W Rigg (Haydon-Wood 74), C Ridl; H Skinner, S Varney; S Sio (Goodrick-Clarke 58), J Dweba (Yeandle 58), B Tchumbadze (J Roots 69), D Jenkins (c), A Zambonin (Tuima 69), T Hooper (James 60), E Roots, G Fisilau.
Replacements unused: Chapman, John.
Yellow card: Tuima 75.
Leicester: F Steward; A Radwan, I Perese (Hamer-Webb 60), S Kata (Bailey 32), O Hassell-Collins; B Searle, T Whiteley (Van Poortvliet 32); N Smith (Haffar 63), J Blamire (Theobold-Thomas 74), J Heyes (Hurd 50), C Henderson, O Chessum (c), J Moro, T Reffell (Williams 39), O Cracknell (Thompson 50).
Yellow card: Williams 50.
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe.
Attendance: 15,000.
Leicester’s next five games
January 4: Leicester vs Saracens (Gallagher Prem)
January 10: Leicester vs Bayonne (Champions Cup)
January 17: Stormers vs Leicester (Champions Cup)
January 24: Harlequins vs Leicester (Gallagher Prem)
January 31: Northampton vs Leicester (Prem Cup)
Post-match thoughts of Leicester head coach Geoff Parling
“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. We had an intermittent week, some days were good, some were not so good. The main thing for me is we are back at home [next weekend against Saracens] and we have to play with the right sort of edge. That was not our DNA today.”
Exeter assistant coach Dave Walder speaking to TNT Sports
“The emotional energy we turned up with today was probably a little bit more than Leicester. 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.
“Greg [Fisilau] is brilliant to work with. He has got the physicality and the soft skills. He is a great person, a quiet guy, a great guy to have in the team. We spoke about being positive in pre-season. It is a good environment to be around. We seem to be getting more things right than wrong. I came into an environment that was rock bottom in the summer. There was a line drawn in the sand by Rob [Baxter] day one of pre-season. To see the way we are performing is great to be a part of.”
Exeter’s next five games
January 3: Bath vs Exeter (Gallagher Prem)
January 10: Stade Francais vs Exeter (Challenge Cup)
January 18: Exeter vs Cardiff (Gallagher Prem)
January 24: Exeter vs Bristol (Gallagher Prem)
January 31: Exeter vs Sale (Prem Cup)
Top five in the Prem after eight rounds
- Northampton Saints- 33 points
- Exeter Chiefs- 32 points
- Bath- 31 points
- Bristol- 29 points
- Leicester- 26 points
Man of the match Greg Fisilau
"It's huge."
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Greg Fisilau is Player of the Match after another colossal performance 👊 pic.twitter.com/AlW8QaBVjm
Round eight fixtures
Friday:
Sale 43 Harlequins 17
Saturday:
Bristol 36 Newcastle Red Bulls 27
Gloucester 21 Saracens 30
Bath 21 Northampton 41
Today:
Exeter 24 Leicester 10
Full time
Goodrick-Clarke has dropped the ball over the line and the try is chalked off.
That brings the game to an end and Exeter win the game 24-10 but will not end the year top of the table. Had that been scored, they would be top of the tree. They are just one point behind leaders Northampton.
Leicester leave Sandy Park with nothing.
JOB DONE 🤝 2025 OVER N OUT.#EXEvLEI | #JointheJourney | @LinealSoftwarepic.twitter.com/7IaP0DAzIG
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) December 28, 2025
TRY! Goodrick-Clarke secures Exeter’s bonus point
The hosts get their bonus-point try and will end 2025 top of the table.
But will this one stand?
80+1 mins: Exeter 24 Leicester 10
Leicester are offside and Skinner tries to find Feyi-Waboso with a crossfield kick but the ball goes dead so we go back for another Exeter penalty as they seek the bonus-point try.
80 mins: Exeter 24 Leicester 10
Ridl thought he had his second try of the game and Exeter’s bonus-point try but he lost control as he went for the line in the corner. The clock stopped one second before 80 minutes and we have gone back for a penalty to the hosts five metres out from the Leicester line.
79 mins: Exeter 24 Leicester 10
The lineout is sloppy but Exeter retain possession as we enter the final minute.
78 mins: Exeter 24 Leicester 10
Leicester are penalised for sealing off on their 10-metre line. Not only are their hopes of a losing bonus point fading, Exeter’s chances of a bonus-point try are increasing as Slade kicks the hosts into the Leicester 22.
PENALTY LEICESTER!
Searle adds the easy three and the gap is 14 with three-and-a-half minutes to go.
76 mins: Exeter 24 Leicester 7
We are going to need to review a high shot by Tuima on Theobald-Thomas. It looked in real time like head-on-head contact and the TMO is going to conduct a formal check. It is clear head-on-head contact but it looks like it will be a yellow rather than red card as it was more of a glancing blow. They deem it not to be a high degree of danger so the entry level is yellow. There is no mitigation so it will be a yellow card, which feels like the right decision.
Leicester point to the sticks for a quick three in their attempt to get a losing bonus point...
74 mins: Exeter 24 Leicester 7
Leicester are now back up 15 men but the two yellow cards they have received in this second half have certainly not helped their cause. They still have an outside shot at a losing bonus point.
TRY! Varney gets Exeter’s third
That should seal the win for the hosts and the Sandy Park faithful are rocking! Fisilau is put through a gap up the middle from inside his own half and the number eight sprints into the Leicester half. It is a pretty simple two-on-one, which Fisilau executes to perfection as he passes inside to Varney, who goes over untouched from 30 metres out. Slade adds the easiest of conversions and Exeter now lead by 17.
Consider it sealed ✉️
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Stephen Varney registers Exeter's third of the afternoon at Sandy Park 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/oe5xDGeTKK
69 mins: Exeter 17 Leicester 7
There may have been a knock-on from Leicester but play is allowed to go on and the visitors are on the attack inside the Exeter 22.
Their momentum is stunted though as the TMO steps in to say there was a forward pass from Henderson to Blamire.
Zambonin is replaced by Tuima for the hosts. J Roots is also on for Exeter at tighthead prop.
65 mins: Exeter 17 Leicester 7
Skinner’s pass towards Slade is loose on halfway and Leicester capitalise. They are in possession just outside the Exeter 22 but James steps up to win a penalty at the breakdown for the hosts.
63 mins: Exeter 17 Leicester 7
That is a huge defensive set deep inside their own 22 as Leicester end up stealing possession and clear their lines. They will though still be down a man for another nine minutes, having only just been restored to 15 men.
A change in the Leicester front-row as Haffar replaces Smith.
62 mins: Exeter 17 Leicester 7
Exeter have numbers out to the right and make the break from inside their own half. Skinner pins his ears back and goes for the line. He is brought down just shy of the line by a sensational last-ditch tackle from van Poortvliet. A pile of bodies and the ball end up over the line so we go to a TMO review. Searle actually looked like he should have been awarded a penalty after getting over the ball.
Skinner did stretch for the line after van Pootvliet’s tackle and actually it appears Searle could be in some trouble here. He dives off his feet onto Skinner as he stretched out for the line and is going to go to the bin. The question is now will it be a penalty try?
Referee Anthony Woodthorpe seemed to indicate it was preventing a probable try but the TMO Dean Richards is not sure. The referee has now changed his mind as he is not sure a try would definitely have been scored so it will be a yellow card for Searle and a penalty on the five-metre line.
60 mins: Exeter 17 Leicester 7
Tchumbadze carries powerfully towards the Leicester 22 but moments later the ball is knocked on by the hosts.
Leicester are now back up to 15 men as Williams’ sin-bin period comes to an end.
Changes for both sides; Hamer-Webb is on for the visitors whilst the hosts bring James on in the pack.
59 mins: Exeter 17 Leicester 7
Two changes in the Exeter front-row as Yeandle and Goodrick-Clarke come on for Dweba and Sio.
55 mins: Exeter 17 Leicester 7
Leicester go through a number of phases in and around the Exeter 22 but the ball is dropped forward by Steward and the attack is over for the visitors, who will still be down to 14 men for another five minutes.
51 mins: Exeter 17 Leicester 7
Two changes in the Leicester pack as Hurd and Thompson replace Heyes and Cracknell.
50 mins: Exeter 17 Leicester 7
Williams puts in a huge dump tackle on Slade that initially goes unpunished but is eventually picked up by the TMO. Williams does just pick Slade up over the horizontal. The question will now be whether this is just a penalty or a yellow card.
Referee Anthony Woodthorpe decides it is worthy of a yellow card.
PENALTY EXETER!
Slade makes no mistake and the hosts’ lead grows out to 10 points.
49 mins: Exeter 14 Leicester 7
Exeter win another scrum penalty in this match, a third to be specific, and they take the pragmatic decision to go for the posts. The penalty is right in front, just inside the 22, so should be easy for Slade...
47 mins: Exeter 14 Leicester 7
Feyi-Waboso takes a high ball just inside the Leicester half and then displays great footwork, speed and power to take the ball to the Leicester 22 before the ball is then stripped. The Exeter and England winger showing his great qualities there.
44 mins: Exeter 14 Leicester 7
Blamire finds Chessum and the Leicester maul is set. Feyi-Waboso has done an outstanding job there as Blamire came through and Exeter do enough to win the scrum as the ball was unplayable. A try-saving intervention from Feyi-Waboso.
Exeter are then awarded the scrum penalty.
43 mins: Exeter 14 Leicester 7
Leicester have a lineout inside the Exeter 22 and set the maul. Hooper thought he had disrupted the maul well but Fisilau is penalised for his entry into the maul. Leicester put it back into the corner.
Second half
We are back under way at Sandy Park. No changes at the break for either side but Reffell has failed his HIA so Williams will stay on.
Animated
The cameras inside the dressing rooms have picked up Leicester head coach Geoff Parling looking rather animated. It felt like he was reading the riot act to his side. Leicester could very easily be 21 points down but are now just seven points behind. Exeter were the better side in the first half but only hold a seven-point lead.
Round eight fixtures
Friday:
Sale 43 Harlequins 17
Saturday:
Bristol 36 Newcastle Red Bulls 27
Gloucester 21 Saracens 30
Bath 21 Northampton 41
Today:
Exeter 14 Leicester 7 HT
HT verdict
b'In attack, Leicester have looked a different side since Jack van Poortvliet replaced the injured Tom Whiteley at scrum-half, with the half-time score sitting at 14-7 when it could quite easily have been 21-0. That said, how valuable could Van Poortvliet’s work off the ball end up there, winning a holding-on penalty at the end of the half on his own tryline, when it looked for all the money in the world that Exeter would grab a third try.
Half-time
Skinner makes the initial break after Leicester’s defence overcommits too much to the right and offloads to Slade, who is brought down just shy of the Leicester line. Leicester then get over the ball quickly and win a crucial penalty at the breakdown.
They boot the ball out of play to bring the first half to an end. Exeter lead 14-7 at the break.
39 mins: Exeter 14 Leicester 7
Fantastic from Skinner, who spots space in behind the Leicester defence and executes a 50:22 as we enter the final minute of the first half.
Play has been halted as Reffell is down receiving some treatment. Leicester have a few injuries in their back-row with Liebenberg and Ilione out so they do not want to lose Reffell. It is an head injury for the Welshman, who is walking off gingerly and you cannot imagine he will return.
Williams is on in his place.
Fire up the 50:22 klaxon 🚨
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Harvey Skinner is loving life at the moment 🫶
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/dfoBOKwwWP
38 mins: Exeter 14 Leicester 7
Hassell-Collins makes a great break down the left touchline and chips ahead. It appeared he had knocked on but play goes on and Leicester are still in possession on the fringes of the Exeter 22.
Searle puts in a kick towards the corner and the ball just rolls into touch, with Radwan haring after it. Feyi-Waboso probably relieved the ball rolld into touch rather than staying in.
TRY! Henderson hits back for Leicester
A few minutes ago, Leicester thought they were 21-0 down, now they are within seven. Blamire times his pass to Cracknell to perfection to put the latter through a hole on the Exeter 22. Cracknell looks for support and spots Henderson to his right, passing at the right time and Leicester are over.
That is LOVELY from Leicester 😮💨
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Cam Henderson helps Tigers reduce the deficit 💪
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/qmbggdrvj0
33 mins: Exeter 14 Leicester 0
Leicester have made a double change in the backs. Kata has pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury so he has limped off and has been replaced by Bailey. Van Poortvliet is also on for Whiteley at scrum-half.
NO TRY! Skinner effort ruled out
The officials have chalked the try off. They deem it prevented Perese the chance to potentially get back as it was close enough to Skinner running through. Skinner probably would have scored anyway but there is an argument to say Perese had a chance of getting back, even if it was remote.
TRY! Sublime from Skinner
A second stunning solo score from the hosts and they are in complete control of this match. The Exeter fly-half throws a dummy and makes a great break from just inside the Leicester half. As he approaches the Leicester 22, he spots the space in behind and also knows the deep end zones at Sandy Park. Skinner gets on the end of it and scores. The extras are added and Exeter now lead 21-0.
The TMO is though taking a look at a push by Rigg on Perese. There is a definite push but the question will be did it affect the scoring of the try?
29 mins: Exeter 14 Leicester 0
Leicester win a scrum penalty and kick towards the corner. The maul creeps closer to the Exeter line but the visitors are forced to take it out. A few phases later, Exeter looked to be offside but play goes on before the hosts win a penalty as Leicester are pinged for sealing off at the breakdown.
TRY! Ridl scores stunning solo try
With a bit of fortune, Ridl finishes a sublime solo effort. The ball is shifted out to the left touchline, where Ridl takes the pass from Woodburn and sprints over halfway. He then chips ahead, at which point he receives a touch of luck with the bounce of the ball, which goes in his favour and he gathers the loose ball before scoring. The conversion is simple and Exeter’s lead goes out to 14 points.
b'The dispatch I was about to send - about how the match had been fairly even, pockmarked by sloppiness from both sides - has been hastily deleted after a stunning solo score from Exeter wing Campbell Ridl. Now, Exeter are in the driving seat and it is going to take a titanic effort by Leicester, away from home, to overcome a 14-point head start.
THAT'S HOW YOU SCORE YOUR FIRST #GallagherPREM TRY!! 🔥
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Campbell Ridl that was sensational 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/mBOrrPhDn3
23 mins: Exeter 7 Leicester 0
Leicester attack from a scrum inside their own half and Radwan makes the break from halfway to near the Exeter 22. However, the move breaks down as Hassell-Collins knocks on.
21 mins: Exeter 7 Leicester 0
Slade’s kick ahead from just inside the Leicester half takes a touch off a Leicester player, which plays Varney onside and Exeter are now in attack inside the Leicester 22. Fisilau and Zambonin carry hard and Exeter are very close to the Leicester line.
Tchumbadze is then held up over the Leicester line by Henderson.
18 mins: Exeter 7 Leicester 0
Leicester blow their first chance in the Exeter 22 as Cracknell knocked on at the base of the scrum trying to pick it up.
Exeter are then awarded the scrum penalty as Leicester are pinged for collapsing it.
16 mins: Exeter 7 Leicester 0
From a free-kick from a scrum on the Exeter 10-metre line, Searle puts up a high kick deep into the Exeter 22. Steward and Woodburn go up for it, with the latter knocking on to give Leicester the scrum within 10 metres of the Exeter try line.
TRY! Fisilau gives Exeter lead
The hosts have messed up one opportunity to score the opening try but they do not waste this chance. Exeter have possession just inside the Leicester 22 and Fisilau manages to break the tackle of Henderson before sprinting to the line. It is an easy conversion and Exeter lead 7-0.
"The bludgeon, then the scalpel..." 💥
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Greg Fisilau sails through to open the scoring for Exeter 💨
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/1wnNYBKD6A
8 mins: Exeter 0 Leicester 0
Dweba carries hard close to the Exeter line but a few phases later, Leicester counter ruck brilliantly and steal possession. The visitors do try and make the exit as hard as possible but they do eventually clear. Chance blown by the hosts to strike first.
7 mins: Exeter 0 Leicester 0
Zambonin charges down Whiteley’s box kick and Exeter have possession inside the Leicester 22. They shift it out to the left, where Rigg carries powerfully to within five metres of the Leicester line. The visitors are then penalised for not rolling away.
Exeter take a quick tap...
6 mins: Exeter 0 Leicester 0
It has been a pretty conservative and cautious start from both sides.
3 mins: Exeter 0 Leicester 0
A fair amount of kicking in these early stages, with the game being played in the middle third of the pitch, with neither side taking any risks near their own 22. We have around three minutes of open play before a knock-on on halfway brings the first stoppage in play.
Kick-off
After a minute’s silence for former Exeter player and director Andy Cole is impeccably observed by the Sandy Park crowd, we are under way in the final Gallagher Prem game of 2025.
Two teams in good form
b'There is a chill in the air down in the South West, as well as some lingering mist, but other than that the conditions for the final Prem match of 2025 could be a lot worse. Both of these sides have been in decent form of late - both starting the weekend in the top four - but today, particularly for Leicester, will be a true test of their play-off credentials. Exeter answered many doubters with that fabulous victory at Saracens but defeat today would feel like a step back in their ambitions for silverware. Leicester’s form on the road has been forgettable this season but what a day, and what a venue - a sold-out Sandy Park - it is to potentially change that, at the turn of the year.
Reminder of the teams
Exeter Chiefs starting XV: 15. Olly Woodburn, 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Will Rigg, 11. Campbell Ridl, 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Stephen Varney; 1. Scott Sio, 2. Joseph Dweba, 3. Bachuki Tchumbadze, 4. Dafydd Jenkins (c), 5. Andrea Zambonin, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Ethan Roots, 8. Greg Fisilau.
Replacements: 16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18. Jimmy Roots, 19. Rusi Tuima, 20. Kane James, 21. Charlie Chapman, 22. Will Haydon-Wood, 23. Dan John.
Leicester Tigers starting XV: 15. Freddie Steward, 14. Adam Radwan, 13. Izaia Perese, 12. Solomone Kata, 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10. Billy Searle, 9. Tom Whiteley; 1. Nicky Smith, 2. Jamie Blamire, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Cameron Henderson, 5. Ollie Chessum (c), 6. Joaquin Moro, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Olly Cracknell.
Replacements: 16. Finn Theobold-Thomas, 17. Tarek Haffar, 18. Will Hurd, 19. James Thompson, 20. Sam Williams, 21. Jack van Poortvliet, 22. Orlando Bailey, 23. Gabriel Hamer-Webb.
Pre-match thoughts of Exeter DOR Rob Baxter
"There was just a spontaneous joy for playing rugby..." 😁
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Exeter Chiefs were still looking for a first league win of the season this time 12 months ago.
Today they can enter 2026 as #GallagherPREM leaders 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/pOOzx5909Y
Solomone Kata speaking to TNT Sports
"The boys are working really hard every week..." 💬
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Solomone Kata is looking forward to a big game to see out 2025 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/AZUuJynW8T
Pre-match thoughts of Exeter’s Ethan Roots
What a difference a year makes 🕰️
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 28, 2025
Ethan Roots reflects on an eventful 12 months on the week he signed a new contract at Exeter Chiefs 👊
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/dOUGBzMLju
Exeter’s last five results (all competitions)
Saracens 24 Exeter 30 (Gallagher Prem)
Racing 92 31 Exeter 31 (Challenge Cup)
Exeter 42 Cheetahs (Challenge Cup)
Sale 26 Exeter 27 (Gallagher Prem)
Exeter 22 Bristol 17 (Prem Cup)
Leicester’s last five results (all competitions)
Leicester 45 Gloucester 14 (Gallagher Prem)
Leicester 15 Leinster 23 (Champions Cup)
La Rochelle 39 Leicester 20 (Champions Cup)
Newcastle 17 Leicester 39 (Gallagher Prem)
Leicester 34 Northampton 22 (Prem Cup)
Hosts gearing up
Pitch walk done. Warm-ups underway! 📈#EXEvLEI | #JointheJourneypic.twitter.com/UGp0uoufif
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) December 28, 2025
New deal for Varney
Exeter have announced that Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney, who starts for the hosts today, has signed a new three-year contract at the club.
“He came here for a year to see how things go and he has had a fantastic impact for us so far this season,” Rob Baxter said. “You can see he is a quality player and he has been an important part of why we have gone well. His individual skills of passing, kicking and reading the game partnered with his great pace have been key.
“He is clearly very passionate about doing well for the club and doing well for his team-mates. He is probably the guy who celebrates tries harder than anyone else, and that is fantastic to see that we have got players who are passionate about what we are doing. So, I think he is a very important signing for us going forward.”
He's electric ⚡️
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) December 23, 2025
Who is ready for more Varney moments, #ChiefsFamily?#JointheJourneypic.twitter.com/mWpmFmtvmu
The 30 best men’s rugby players in the UK right now
27. Tom Hooper (Exeter, Australia)
Exeter’s acquisition of this industrious, robust Wallaby aged beautifully. In the period between being announced as an incoming Chief and arriving in Devon, Hooper underlined his value to Australia and started in Test matches at both lock and flanker. He shone in back-to-back victories over the Lions and the Springboks. The former may have been a dead rubber, but the latter was a captivating encounter. With Hooper on board, Exeter are mounting a charge for the Prem play-offs.
23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter, England)
Injury and suspension meant that Feyi-Waboso’s involvement in the second half of last season, for both club and country, was limited but the wing has come back with a vengeance at the start of this campaign. Feyi-Waboso, still just 23, has been a central figure in both Exeter’s early-season renaissance and England’s autumn resistance. There is still some fine-tuning to be done, but there are fewer finer physical specimens in UK rugby currently; and none with the same explosion as the wing.
Round eight fixtures
Friday:
Sale 43 Harlequins 17
Saturday:
Bristol 36 Newcastle Red Bulls 27
Gloucester 21 Saracens 30
Bath 21 Northampton 41
Today:
Exeter vs Leicester
Hosts arriving
In the house 🏠
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) December 28, 2025
Are you with us already #ChiefsFamily?#EXEvLEI | #JointheJourneypic.twitter.com/xTpNcRnwqS
Teams
Exeter Chiefs starting XV: 15. Olly Woodburn, 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Will Rigg, 11. Campbell Ridl, 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Stephen Varney; 1. Scott Sio, 2. Joseph Dweba, 3. Bachuki Tchumbadze, 4. Dafydd Jenkins (c), 5. Andrea Zambonin, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Ethan Roots, 8. Greg Fisilau.
Replacements: 16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18. Jimmy Roots, 19. Rusi Tuima, 20. Kane James, 21. Charlie Chapman, 22. Will Haydon-Wood, 23. Dan John.
Leicester Tigers starting XV: 15. Freddie Steward, 14. Adam Radwan, 13. Izaia Perese, 12. Solomone Kata, 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10. Billy Searle, 9. Tom Whiteley; 1. Nicky Smith, 2. Jamie Blamire, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Cameron Henderson, 5. Ollie Chessum (c), 6. Joaquin Moro, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Olly Cracknell.
Replacements: 16. Finn Theobold-Thomas, 17. Tarek Haffar, 18. Will Hurd, 19. James Thompson, 20. Sam Williams, 21. Jack van Poortvliet, 22. Orlando Bailey, 23. Gabriel Hamer-Webb.
Match preview
Round eight of the Gallagher Prem concludes at Sandy Park as the Exeter Chiefs welcome Leicester Tigers. Leicester secured the league double over Exeter last season, winning 17-14 in this fixture at Sandy Park in September 2024 before winning 28-15 at home at Welford Road back in January.
Exeter secured a comeback victory last time out in the Prem, winning away at Saracens. In fact, they are unbeaten in all competitions in their last five matches. They begin the day in fourth, with the chance to go top of the tree with a bonus-point victory. They have though been dealt a major blow this week by the news that Australia centre Len Ikitau will miss three months due to a shoulder injury. Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter is disappointed to be losing a player for an extended period of time who has been in “outstanding form”.
“The good news is that we can get him in for the operation pretty quickly, though unfortunately it does mean he will miss the block of games over the festive period and into the cup competitions in the new year,” Baxter said. “It is very unfortunate for Len, who has been playing out of his skin for us and was in outstanding form. It is a shame for him and a shame for us because he has been an important part of what we have achieved so far this season. However, after a pretty long period of quite intense rugby, it will give him a bit of a break and give his body plenty of time to recover and refresh. Hopefully, he can have a big end of the season impact for us, and we will remain in contention to be challenging for some success or silverware.”
Baxter is anticipating a tough game this afternoon against a side that did the league double over them last season.
“I have been really impressed with Leicester,” Baxter added. “Even when they have been playing in really tough situations, tough conditions, and against very good sides, they are very dogged and they are in the fight all the time. That is probably the most important quality a team can have and I would like to think that is something that we look like we have got at the moment, or that we have improved upon at the start of this season.”
Like Exeter, Leicester were victorious last time out, comfortably beating Gloucester 45-14 to claim the Slater Cup. They have now won their last four Prem games and go into this game in fifth, with the chance to go level on points with Bath in second. Speaking ahead of the game, head coach Geoff Parling has outlined his side’s style of play.
“We had a very simple game plan at the start of the year and we are trying to evolve that as we push on,” said Parling. “I do not think we will ever be a team that holds the ball for as many phases, as for example, Bristol do in their own half but I want players to play what they see. I want us to be efficient at times but I give them the framework to play heads-up rugby and we will work on them to improve that decision-making.”
Kick-off from Sandy Park is at 3pm.
Category: General Sports
