Exeter Chiefs player ratings v Bath: ‘Video game stuff’ from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso while England hopefuls’ ‘unrelenting’ effort in vain
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Henry Slade in action for Exeter Chiefs against Bath
Following Exeter Chiefs’ 40-36 defeat to Bath at the Rec, here is how we rated Rob Baxter’s side in their PREM Rugby round two clash.
Exeter Chiefs player ratings v Bath
15 Olly Woodburn: Decent but by no means set the pitch alight. Did well to tidy things up in the backfield, both in the air and in the carry when needed, but also posted four missed tackles. 6
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: Video game stuff once more from the explosive winger. Things just seemed to happen whenever he touched the ball in attack, especially in his new, slightly freer role, and he got himself two tries and a game-high tally of 132 metres for his efforts. 9
13 Henry Slade: Didn’t put much of a foot wrong, really. Injected himself into Exeter’s attack with some nice moments, both in the carry and with his distribution to link up with the rest of the backline, and once again kicked well out-of-hand. His kicking from the tee was uncharacteristically poor, however. 6
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12 Will Butt: Enjoyed a good return to the Rec in his new colours. Grew into the game as it went along, combining nicely with the likes of Harvey Skinner, Henry Slade and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to good effect while adding some nice punch through the midfield as well. His break and assist for Feyi-Waboso’s second was also lovely. 7
11 Tommy Wyatt: So pleasing to see him back in the PREM, and this was a reminder of what he can bring to the Chiefs. Made an excellent start to the game with a try-saving tackle on Joe Cokanasiga, and carried on from there really with some brave efforts across his shift. 7
10 Harvey Skinner: A lot of nice stuff in his game tonight. The confidence to take the kicking duties off Henry Slade late in the day, to slot the penalty that saw them take a second bonus point from the game, was the highlight of his display, but that was probably a result of some deft playmaking and a nice assist for Feyi-Waboso’s first score. 7
9 Stephen Varney: Had a pretty solid game for the most part, but his yellow card late in the second-half was a real difference-maker in the game, and it ultimately proved costly for Exeter. Bath ran in 14 points during his time off the field, and that eventually helped them take the win. 5
Back-row
8 Greg Fisilau: Superb, unrelenting stuff from the England hopeful, who would have certainly made the on-watching Steve Borthwick take notice. Rock solid in the tight all night against a hefty Bath pack, topping both the tackle and carry stats for his side in the process. 8
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7 Kane James: It’s not a surprise to those who have followed his progress over the past year, but he’s really maturing into a fine player. His desire to get the ball tonight deserves some serious plaudits, but he backed that up with sheer aggression and power in the contact to make consistent metres, as well as putting himself right in the mix at the breakdown with three turnovers. A statement effort from the back-rower. 8
6 Ethan Roots: Another who grew into the game as it went along, becoming increasingly visible across the 80 minutes. Put his body on the line for his side in the tight, making some properly bruising hits and tallying 14 tackles. 7
Tight five
5 Dafydd Jenkins: Industrious work as ever from the captain, who will be sore tomorrow. Just rolled up his sleeves and went looking for work in the tight, posting 13 tackles and winning one turnover along the way. 7
4 Harry Wilson: Solid would be the way to describe his outing. Backed up his lock partner at every turn in defence and made himself a willing carrier as well. 6
3 Josh Iosefa-Scott: Went well, all told. Scrummaged well for most of his shift, aside from one schooling in the first-half, and got heavily involved in the battle up front as well. 6
2 Jack Yeandle: Nuts and bolts stuff from the experienced hooker. The lineout issues early on were down to the quality of Bath’s defence more than anything, but he made good on that with some nice efforts around the park and got himself a score for his troubles. 6
1 Ethan Burger: Steady effort from the loosehead. Aside from one outright demolition, he fared well in the scrum and got stuck into things around the park. 6
Replacements: Potentially not as impactful as the Bath bench, but that’s not necessarily a criticism as they fared well all told. The front-row unit actually seemed to enjoy the better of the scrum battle late on; Oscar Beckerleg and Finn Worley-Brady looked to get themselves involved in the game, and Sam Wolstenholme also injected some nice tempo into proceedings as well. 6
READ MORE: PREM Rugby, round two: Predictions, teams, kick-off times, how to watch and referee appointments
