Exeter Chiefs boss believes rising star’s England debut is a matter of ‘when not if’
Greg Fisilau has played three games for England A but is yet to make his senior Test debut
New Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Hunter believes it’s a ‘when not if scenario’ for Greg Fisilau to make his senior England debut.
The number eight scored a 79th-minute try to fire Exeter to a pivotal win over Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership.
Rob Hunter on Greg Fisilau’s England chances
Fisilau, who recently penned a new three-year deal with the Devonians, has excelled in recent England A outings – scoring three tries in three games – and has also been drafted into various England senior sides by head coach Steve Borthwick.
He has also been in stellar form for the Chiefs again this season, which leaves boss Hunter feeling he could be a great option for England’s summer tour to the Americas.
“I think he plays well enough most weeks to be on that tour,” Hunter said. “Obviously, he has to fit in with what Steve Borthwick wants, but I’m sure he will. They seem to be in regular contact, we know they’ll be watching him and he’s been along. Everyone knows he’s a good player.”
“He’s probably a bit different to what they’ve got (in the back-row), he’s great on the ball and is a very natural rugby player. I’m sure at some point they’ll get to him. He is still a young lad, so at what point they introduce him, I don’t know, but it’s a when not if scenario for Greg.”
“It also depends on who goes on the Lions, as that’ll affect who goes with England, but I’ve got no doubt if he’s given that opportunity he’d be fantastic.”
The Plymouth-born forward joined Exeter in 2022 following the demise of Wasps, alongside Dan Frost and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, and has since become a regular feature for the club.
In his time at Sandy Park, Fisilau has made 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 tries in the process.
‘Our focus is now to grow’
Fisilau is one of several young stars to become regular members of the Chiefs’ match-day squad in recent years, but with a lot of them having at least two full seasons of regular top-flight rugby under their belt, Hunter feels they should scrap the ‘rebuild’ tag.
“Oh, 100% (we can build around him), but we’re not rebuilding anymore. The important thing for us is not to keep referring to them as a young group. Greg’s got 40 games, Tom Cairns has got 43 games now, they’re not just kids running out.
“Our expectations of ourselves have to be much higher than being in that rebuild. That was the process we had to do, but we’ve been through that, and our focus is now to grow.”
Exeter now turn their attention to a Premiership clash with Bath on 19th April after the European break – the team that recently beat them in the Premiership Cup final.
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