Cheika begins Leicester reign with late win at Exeter

Gallagher Premiership

Exeter (0) 14

Tries: Fisilau, Cairns Cons: Hodge 2

Leicester (3) 17

Tries: Liebenberg, Reffell Cons: Shillcock, Volavola Drop-goal: Shillcock

Michael Cheika's time in charge at Leicester Tigers began with a dramatic last- second win as his side beat Exeter 17-14 in their Premiership opener.

Jamie Shillcock's drop-goal with the final play of the first half was the only score of an opening period that Exeter edged.

Greg Fisilau's 48th-minute try got Exeter going before Tom Cairns sneaked over for their second 10 minutes later.

Hanro Liebenberg's try cut the deficit six minutes later before Tigers centre Solomone Kata was sent off for a head-on-head collision with Jack Yeandle.

But Tommy Reffell forced his way over in the final seconds of the game after Exeter had seen Will Haydon-Wood sin-binned for a high challenge.

More to follow.

Exeter: Hodge; Feyi-Waboso, Hammersley, Hawkins, Woodburn; Skinner, Armstrong; Sio (capt), Frost, Painter, Tuima, Capstick, Roots, Vintcent, Fisilau.

Replacements: Yeandle, Goodrick-Clarke, Iosefa-Scott, Dunne, Tshiunza, Cairns, Haydon-Wood, Brown-Bampoe.

Yellow card: Haydon-Wood (79)

Leicester: Steward; Bassett, Perese, Kata, Hassell-Collin; Shillcock, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Clare, Heyes, Well, Chessum (capt), Liebenberg, Cracknell, Hatherell.

Replacements: Theobald-Thomas, Cronin, Cole, Joussain, Reffell, Youngs, Volavola, Kelly.

Yellow card: Perese (28)

Red card: Kata (71)

Referee: Tom Foley