Immanuel Feyi-Waboso makes international statement as Exeter Chiefs see off Bristol Bears to go top
Exeter Chiefs wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in action against Bristol Bears.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso produced an outstanding performance that no doubt caught the eye of England and Wales as he helped Exeter Chiefs beat Bristol Bears 24-14.
The Chiefs outscored their hosts 4-2 on tries in front of a 24,200-strong crowd, claiming a bonus-point through flanker Jacques Vermeulen’s late touchdown.
It was nip and tuck for much of the game, yet Exeter kept their composure when it really mattered, and most notably when in sight of Bristol’s line.
Prop Josh Iosefa-Scott, wing Feyi-Waboso and scrum-half Stu Townsend also claimed tries for Exeter, while centre Henry Slade kicked two conversions.
Bristol responded with tries from hooker Gabriel Oghre and wing Noah Heward, with Callum Sheedy kicking two conversions, but it proved another frustrating 80 minutes for Pat Lam’s team.
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Exeter are likely to lose top spot following the weekend’s games, but their status as genuine title play-off contenders cannot be questioned.
Bristol were without injured forwards Ellis Genge, Harry Thacker and Fitz Harding, while Exeter showed a number of changes from the side that beat Leicester last time out, including starts for lock Rusi Tuima and flanker Ross Vintcent.
Exeter’s pack soon began making headway, and Chiefs took a seventh-minute lead after sustained pressure inside the Bristol 22 led to Iosefa-Scott charging over and Slade converting.
Bristol, though, were level within five minutes, striking from a close-range lineout drive that saw Oghre claim the touchdown and Sheedy convert as both sets of forwards went about their business in impressive fashion.
Although referee Christophe Ridley blew for nine penalties during the opening quarter, attacking intent was highlighted by a stunning second Exeter try.
Slick passing created space for wing Olly Woodburn to cut an incisive attacking angle, and Wales Six Nations squad hopeful Feyi-Waboso finished superbly for a 12-7 advantage.
England head coach Steve Borthwick looked on as Bristol went ahead for the first time just three minutes before half-time.
A lineout drive was thwarted by Exeter’s defence, but the ball was moved wide to Heward, who made short work of some questionable Chiefs defending to cross wide out.
Sheedy’s touchline conversion nudged Bristol two points ahead at the break in pursuit of a third successive Premiership victory following wins against Gloucester and Newcastle.
Feyi-Waboso’s elusive running proved a handful for the Bristol defence, and he was at the heart of Exeter’s third try from their first attack after the break.
The 21-year-old weaved his way to within touching distance of Bristol’s line, and despite being held up just short, his opportunism provided a simple finish for Townsend.
❌ Stu Townsend finishes off Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's fine work. #BRIvEXE pic.twitter.com/netkpHvRUH
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) December 29, 2023
Townsend immediately blotted his copybook, being yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, but Bristol could not make their temporary one-player advantage count and Exeter retained a three-point lead approaching the hour mark.
The second half proved more of an attritional contest than the first 40 minutes, with defences dominating, before Exeter struck a final blow after Bristol ran out of steam.
Bristol could not make their attacking opportunities count, and the Chiefs stormed upfield, with substitute Vermeulen touching down four minutes from time and Slade converting as a maximum five-point haul was secured.
The teams
Bristol: 15 Max Malins, 14 Noah Heward, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Rich Lane, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Joe Batley, 4 James Dun, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Gabriel Oghre, 1 Max Lahiff
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 George Kloska, 19 Josh Caulfield, 20 Joe Owen, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 James Williams, 23 Kalaveti Ravouvou
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Ben Hammersley, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stu Townsend, 8 Greg Fisilau, 7 Ross Vintcent, 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 4 Rusi Tuima, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 2 Dan Frost, 1 Nika Abuladze
Replacements: 16 Max Norey, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Lewis Pearson, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Zack Wimbush
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant Referees: George Selwood, Alex Thomas
TMO: Dean Richards
