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Report | Tigers win it at the death in Exeter

Figure image

Leicester Tigers have defeated Exeter 17-14 in the opening fixture of the Gallagher Premiership season at Sandy Park.

Tommy Reffell capped an incredible display of fight from Tigers as the Welsh international and Academy product scored in the 80th minute to win the game.

A tense first-half only produced one score, Tigers fly-half Jamie Shillcock slotting a drop-goal on the stroke of half-time.

Exeter had the only clear-cut chances to get over the line in the opening period, but despite Leicester centre seeing yellow, Chiefs couldn’t quite convert making it 3-0 Tigers at the break.

Chiefs would be the ones to grab hold of the contest after 47 minutes, Greg Fisilau the one to get the ball down with Josh Hodge nailing the conversion.

The home side extended their advantage 10 minutes later, replacement scrum-half going over from close range. Hodge made it 14-3.

Tigers got back into the game through Hanro Liebenberg, the flanker coming up with the ball off a rolling drive.

Jamie Shillcock pulled tigers to within four with his conversion.

Solomone Kata would then see red for a high-tackle in the 71st minute, Tigers down to 14 for the remainder of the game.

Despite the adversity, Tigers found a way and Reffell, again from short-range somehow found a way to score, winning the game after the 80 minutes were up.

Volavola converted to make it 17-14.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

EXE 0-3 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

EXE 14-17 LEI

Attendance

Not available

Referee

Tom Foley

Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs
14

Full Time

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
17

Match Stats

Exeter Chiefs
Leicester Tigers
Possession
53%
47%
Territory
55%
45%
Penalties Conceded
15
13
Yellow Cards
1
1
Red Cards
0
1
Tackles Won
124/148 84%
185/210 88%
Scrums Won
10/11 91%
6/6 100%
Lineouts Won
9/10 90%
17/18 94%

Player Stats

Exeter Chiefs
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Freddie Steward
14Josh Bassett
13Izaia Perese
12Solomone Kata
11Ollie Hassell-Collins
10Jamie Shillcock1C1D
9Jack van Poortvliet
1Nicky Smith
2Charlie Clare
3Joe Heyes
4Harry Wells
5Ollie Chessum
6Hanro Liebenberg1T
7Olly Cracknell
8Kyle Hatherell
16Finn Theobald-Thomas
17James Cronin
18Dan Cole
19Come Joussain
20Tommy Reffell1T
21Ben Youngs
22Ben Volavola1C
23Dan Kelly

Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Josh Hodge
14
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
13
Ben Hammersley
12
Joe Hawkins
11
Olly Woodburn
10
Harvey Skinner
9
Niall Armstrong
1
Scott Sio
2
Dan Frost
3
Ehren Painter
4
Rusiate Tuima
5
Richard Capstick
6
Ethan Roots
7
Ross Vintcent
8
Greg Fisilau

Replacements

16
Jack Yeandle
17
Will Goodrick-Clarke
18
Josh Iosefa-Scott
19
Jack Dunne
20
Christ Tshiunza
21
Tom Cairns
22
Will Haydon-Wood
23
Paul Brown-Bampoe

Team News | Chessum to lead Tigers in round one

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Leicester Tigers have named their matchday squad for round of the Gallagher Premiership against Exeter Chiefs at 3:05pm on Saturday, September 21 at Sandy Park.

In his first official game in charge of the club, Leicester head coach Michael Cheika has named lock Ollie Chessum as captain.

Chessum will have Tigers Academy graduate, Jack van Poortvliet as his vice-captain.

Packing down alongside Chessum in the second-row is Harry Wells, who will make his 200th appearance for the club.

There are more potential milestones in the opening fixture with Joe Heyes reaching 100 Gallagher Premiership games and Solomone Kata earning his 20th appearance Tigers tie, a longstanding tradition at the club. 

Izaia Perese and Nicky Smith will debut for Tigers in the starting side with Ben Volavola and Côme Joussain also in-line for their first Tigers appearance from the bench.

Leicester Tigers head coach, Michael Cheika said: “It’s an exciting game for everyone at the club.

“We’re all looking forward to this first league game of the season. We’ve made good progress over the pre-season and still have a long way to go but this is how we get there; playing for points each weekend, starting in Exeter.

“I’m really happy to see Harry reach 200 games. It’s a fantastic achievement and I know everyone will be doing all they can to make it a special day for him. 

“Ollie and Jack have earned the right to lead with their actions throughout pre-season, and they’ll be supported a team of players who are all ready to do their jobs and enjoy what will be a tough battle together for the first time in Tigers colours.”

 

STARTING XV

15 Freddie Steward [88]

14 Josh Bassett [15]

13 Izaia Perese *

12 Solomone Kata [19]

11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [22]

10 Jamie Shillcock [26]

9 Jack van Poortvliet [73]

1 Nicky Smith *

2 Charlie Clare [95]

3 Joe Heyes [141]

4 Harry Wells [199]

5 Ollie Chessum (C) [56]

6 Hanro Liebenberg [107]

7 Olly Cracknell [43]

8 Kyle Hatherell [20]

REPLACEMENTS

16 Finn Theobald-Thomas [9]

17 James Cronin [34]

18 Dan Cole [323]

19 Côme Joussain *

20 Tommy Reffell [114]

21 Ben Youngs [314]

22 Ben Volavola *

23 Dan Kelly [81]

*Denotes Leicester Tigers and Gallagher Premiership debut

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
2
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI32017444301161110
9
Exeter Chiefs
Exeter ChiefsEXE20023847-955022
Form Guide
Form
WWLLL
Last Match
Lost to Northampton Saints 24-30
Past Meeting
Lost 14-17
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
WWWLW
Last Match
Beat Newcastle Falcons 42-10
Past Meeting
Won 17-14

Matchday Live

Exeter Chiefs14
Exeter Chiefs
Leicester Tigers17
Leicester Tigers
Full Time