mens
Gallagher-Prime Minister
Exeter Chiefs player ratings: Exeter Bosses had a difficult start to their campaign Gallagher PREM as Gloucester left Sandy Park with a strong 45-24 win.
There were plenty of encouraging individual performances from the Chiefs, particularly from the explosive back row of Ethan Roots, Kane James and Greg Fisilau, but Gloucester continually found a way through the hosts’ defence. Exeter remained dangerous with ball in hand and scored four tries of their own, although they were ultimately unable to contain their visitors as the contest opened.
Here’s how the Exeter player rated it:
15 Ben Hammersley – 5
Relatively quiet afternoon in the back. He made 27 yards on four carries but endured some tough defensive moments, missing three tackles before being pulled after 63 minutes.
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso –
He was involved throughout and remained one of Exeter’s biggest attacking threats, finishing with two line breaks and 71 meters from 13 carries. There were also costly mistakes. He dropped a shot under little pressure and went too high on Joseph before being dispossessed for Gloucester’s spectacular second-half try.
13 Henry Slade – 6
He showed his quality when he broke clear from his own half late in the contest and carried nine times for 51 meters. However, his tee shot was inconsistent and he also missed two matches as Gloucester repeatedly found space.
12 Will Butt – 5
A fairly modest outing in the middle of the pitch. He didn’t have the attacking impact of those around him, but he worked hard without the ball, completing six tackles before being replaced on the hour by Wimbush.
11 Olly Woodburn – 6
One of Exeter’s more consistent performers. He made 69 meters from 13 carries and made a line break, while his defensive awareness was evident when he kept Loader in touch to earn a scrum. Also completed ten matches.
10 Harvey Skinner – 5
He made a great finishing pass to free Roots for his first half score and generally did well to bring Exeter’s dangerous runners into the contest. He carried seven times and made seven tackles, but could not take Gloucester’s control of the contest.
9 Stephen Varney – 6
He scored against his former club after following Fisilau’s break brilliantly to cover 57 meters despite only carrying three times. There were a couple of costly negatives, however, conceding two penalties and falling flat for Joseph’s dummy as the Gloucester wing raced on.
1 Ethan Burger – 6
One of Exeter’s hardest working performers despite the loss. Carried 13 times, more than any other forward in the front row, and finished 14 tackles without a miss. Added unloading before departure after 57 minutes.
2 Jack Yeandle – 5
He went through a lot of work during his stay. Carried 11 times and finished seven tackles, providing Exeter with a steady presence in sets before being replaced by Gulley during the second half.
3 Josh Iosefa-Scott – 6
He broke through from close range for Exeter’s first try, but discipline undermined an otherwise productive outing. He conceded two penalties, including a needless tackle on the inside of his own 22 which took considerable pressure off Gloucester.
4 Dafydd Jenkins – 6
Huge defensive effort Wales international. Made 16 tackles, second only to Fisilau among Exeter players, while missing just one. He did much of his best work away from the spotlight.
5 Harry Wilson – 5
Put in a solid shift before being replaced in the closing stages. Completed all nine of his moves and carried six times, providing plenty of industry in the second row despite Exeter’s struggles.
6 Ethan Roots – 7
He scored a superb individual score just before half-time, charging 20 yards down the right and outrunning two Gloucester defenders. Earlier he killed a dangerous mallet and got a turnover close to his line. He finished with 72 meters from a game-high 17 carries, although losing the ball near the Gloucester line after the break was costly.
7 Kane James – 6
One of Exeter’s most dangerous carriers. He played an important role in the Iosefe-Scott score and topped the match with 73 meters from just eight carries. His huge late break, denying Atkinson before Joseph eventually forced him into contact, typified an explosive performance.
8 Greg Fisilau – 6
Exeter’s outstanding performer despite the result. His break from his own half led to a Roots try before he broke through again with a move that eventually sent Varney over. He registered two line breaks, 59 meters from 14 carries and an offload, while his 19 tackles were the most of any Exeter player.
Substitutions – 6
Louie Gulley was excellent, producing a superb carry through three defenders and an offload in the build-up to Varney’s try before marking his PREM debut with a try of his own.
