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In one dashing run, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso provided a reminder of how much England have missed him and helped put Exeter within touching distance of the play-offs.
Feyi-Waboso missed the disastrous Six Nations with a hamstring injury – among a number of fitness issues he’s suffered in the past year.
But there is no other wing in English rugby with the pace, power in the carry and game-breaking ability of Feyi-Waboso, and he will be a welcome return for England in this summer’s Nations Championship.
Feyi-Waboso set up Exeter’s opener for Olly Woodburn in stunning fashion, as Rob Baxter’s Chiefs moved back up above Saracens into fourth place with a crucial bonus-point victory, inflicting Leicester’s only home defeat of the season.
Exeter host Saracens on Saturday on the final day of PREM Rugby’s regular season with a three-point cushion, but that game will be a straight shootout for fourth spot.
Northampton, Bath and Leicester have already sealed their places in the play-offs, though for the latter this was a blow to their hopes of getting a home semi-final.
But there is no other wing in English rugby with the pace, power in the carry and game-breaking ability of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (right)
In one dashing run, Feyi-Waboso provided a reminder of how much England have missed him and helped put Exeter within touching distance of the play-offs
‘He’s got this freakish contact strength,’ Woodburn – who scored twice – said of Feyi-Waboso. ‘It’s crazy. You see him run into contact in front of a brick wall and he somehow gets through. It’s hard to put into words his athleticism and dynamism. I’m just glad he’s on our team. It’s an important win.’
Alongside Feyi-Waboso, Exeter’s other international stars stood up to be counted in impressive fashion and just when it mattered most.
Australia centre Len Ikitau delivered a sumptuous pass for Woodburn’s second and their Italy lock Andrea Zambonin was man of the match, capping a totemic display with an acrobatic finish for the winning try.
Exeter’s victory, which ended Bristol Bears’ slim hopes of a play-off spot, came despite Woodburn seeing yellow for a deliberate knock-on and was guided by England centre Henry Slade kicking three conversions and three penalties.
‘We’ve got a really good blend of international class and hard-working blokes – that’s what’s brought us success in the past,’ Woodburn said.
It could yet be enough for another league title, even if Exeter are still outsiders to do so. They must avoid defeat at home to Sarries on Saturday and then navigate a play-off route that will likely involve a raucous trip to either Bath or Northampton in the semi-finals.
Leicester’s final regular-season game is away at defending champions Bath, with both aiming to secure a home semi-final as Northampton already have.
George Pearson, Olly Cracknell and Charlie Clare scored for Leicester, but they were second best physically to a well-motivated Exeter side. Crucially, they were inaccurate at the set-piece too and paid the price.
Italy lock Andrea Zambonin was man of the match, capping a totemic display with an acrobatic finish for the winning try
Olly Woodburn scored twice for Exeter, who have their play-off destiny in their hands
Bath away will be a tough nut for the Tigers to crack, and there is still an outside chance that they could miss out on the play-offs, were Saracens to beat Exeter in a high-scoring thriller and Leicester to lose without a bonus point.
‘Our set-piece wasn’t good enough,’ Leicester head coach Geoff Parling admitted. ‘And we allowed them to run over us. We are incredibly frustrated. We’ve got six days to go at Bath and we will dust ourselves off quickly. We know what’s riding on it.’
Leicester hope to have fly-halves Billy Searle and James O’Connor back for the play-offs, but England full-back Freddie Steward is still out after having surgery to fix a broken thumb.