Greg Fisilau Explained

Greg Fisilau
Birth Date:2003 7, df=yes[1]
Birth Place:Plymouth, England
Weight:109kg (240lb)[2]
Years1:–2022
Clubs1:Wasps
Apps1:4
Points1:5
Years2:2021–2022
Clubs2:Moseley (loan)
Apps2:10
Points2:20
Years3:2022
Clubs3:Ampthill (loan)
Apps3:0
Points3:0
Years4:2022–
Clubs4:Exeter Chiefs
Apps4:32
Points4:30
Clubupdate:25 May 2024
Repyears1:2022–2023
Repteam1:England U20
Repcaps1:14
Reppoints1:5
Repyears2:2024–
Repteam2:England A
Repcaps2:1
Reppoints2:5
Repupdate:25 February 2024
Relatives:Kenni Fisilau (father)
School:St Edward's School

Greg Fisilau (born 9 July 2003) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a back row for Premiership Rugby club Exeter Chiefs.

Early and personal life

Fisilau was brought up in Plymouth, the son of former Plymouth Albion centre and Tongan international Kenni Fisilau and his wife, Camilla. He started playing rugby union for Devonport Services in his hometown at U8 level. He has brothers called Makobilly and David, and two sisters named Lisia and Malieta.[3] [4]

Club career

Fisilau came through the academy at Wasps RFC,[5] and also played on loan for Birmingham Moseley Rugby, making his debut against Plymouth Albion at The Brickfields.[6] He also played on loan for Ampthill RUFC in the Rugby Championship.[3]

Fisilau joined Exeter Chiefs in November 2022 upon the dissolution of Wasps for financial reasons.[7] Exeter had a long standing interest in the player and coach Rob Baxter suggested they would have made an approach to him even if Wasps had not suffered the financial demise.[8] He was said to have an “assured start” to his career at Exeter,[9] and became a regular in the Chiefs first team in the 2023-24 season.[10] He was nominated for the Premiership Rugby Player of the Month for October 2023.[11]

International career

Fisilau represented England U20 making his debut in the opening round of the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship against Scotland.[12] [13] He was also a member of the squad that finished fourth at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship.[14] In February 2024 Fisilau scored a try for England A in a victory over Portugal.[15] In May 2024, he was called up by Steve Borthwick to an England senior team training squad.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Greg Fisilau. Ultimate Rugby. December 9, 2023.
  2. Web site: Greg Fisilau. All Rugby. December 9, 2023.
  3. Web site: Young Guns: Wasps & England U20s No. 8 Greg Fisilau. The Rugby Paper. 9 December 2023. 25 September 2022.
  4. Web site: Robert. Kitson. Meet the Fisilaus: Exeter’s Greg hopes to power through for England honours. The Guardian. 5 April 2024. 6 April 2024.
  5. Web site: Who can fill Pacific Island void left by Manu Tuilagi and Vunipolas?. The Times. 9 December 2023. John. Westerby. 10 November 2023.
  6. Web site: My Life in Rugby with Keni Fisilau: ‘Gregory’s got me cheering on rivals’. The Rugby Paper. 9 December 2023. 15 January 2023. Jon. Newcombe.
  7. Web site: Alfie Bell, Greg Fisilau and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: Former Wasps players join Exeter. BBC Sport. 9 December 2023. 9 November 2022.
  8. Web site: 6 November 2023. Exeter’s rebuild is way ahead of schedule – here is why. 9 December 2023. Charlie. Morgan. The Daily Telegraph.
  9. Web site: The Daily Telegraph. 9 December 2023. The No 8s who could replace Billy Vunipola for England. Charlie. Morgan. 3 November 2023.
  10. Web site: Exeter Chiefs rising star sidelined by freak gym accident. Devon Live. 9 December 2023. John. Evely. 8 November 2023.
  11. Web site: BBC Sport. 9 December 2023. Greg Fisilau: Exeter forward sidelined by freak foot injury. 6 November 2023.
  12. Web site: Fisilau suffers freak foot injury in gym. Cornish-Times. 9 December 2023. 6 November 2023. Nigel. Walrond.
  13. Web site: How Wasps' five young stars performed for England U20s against Scotland. Coventry Telegraph. 15 January 2024. 5 February 2022. Bobby. Bridge.
  14. Web site: 68 points, ten tries and one red card – Ireland kick off U-20 World Cup with thrilling draw against England. The Irish Independent. 15 January 2024. 24 June 2023. Brendan. Fanning.
  15. News: England A 91-5 Portugal. BBC Sport. 25 February 2024. 25 May 2024.
  16. Web site: The Guardian. 26 May 2024. Borthwick selects seven uncapped players in England training squad. Robert. Kitson. 26 May 2024.