Greg Fisilau has been included in England's squad for this month's Nations Championship matches, giving the 23-year-old Exeter number eight another route into international rugby after his steady rise at club level.
Fisilau, who played twice for England's 'A' side last November, has been one of Exeter's most consistent performers in recent seasons. He scored seven league tries last season as Exeter reached the Prem final, and this term he has started all of Exeter's Prem and European matches.
Baxter points to consistency
Exeter boss Rob Baxter said Fisilau's game stands out because of the amount of work he gets through. He described his strength as being heavily involved, getting around the ball and bringing a high number of actions to the game. Baxter also said he is confident Fisilau would deliver a similar level of performance at any standard.
That consistency, Baxter added, is exactly what Exeter want young players to see. He said the club want to show that if players train well and perform well, the rewards can be tangible. For Baxter, Fisilau's call-up is a useful example for others at Exeter who are trying to turn strong club form into an international opportunity.
The timing also matters for Exeter, who have won only one of their first five Prem matches and are second-bottom of the table. Baxter acknowledged the slow start, but said players at clubs with better starts are not the only ones capable of earning recognition. In his view, Fisilau's selection shows that performances still count, even when the team results have not gone as planned.
With England now taking a closer look at him, Fisilau has a genuine chance to build on his 'A' team experience and push further into the senior international picture. For Exeter, it is another reminder that strong individual form can still be rewarded, even in a difficult team spell.
