Greg Fisilau England Debut Sealed in Record 45-22 Win Over Australia at Twickenham
Greg Fisilau made his England debut on Sunday 8 November 2026 as England beat Australia 45-22 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in the Nations Championship. The 23-year-old Exeter Chiefs number eight came off the bench in the second half as Steve Borthwick’s side ran in seven tries to record their highest ever points total against the Wallabies.
Fisilau’s first cap had been the talk of English rugby all weekend. The Plymouth-born forward topped the United Kingdom’s Google Trends list on Sunday after Exeter boss Rob Baxter backed him to carry his club form onto the international stage, and he was named among the replacements when Borthwick confirmed his side on Friday 6 November.
| Detail | England 45-22 Australia — Quick Reference Summary |
|---|---|
| Fixture | England v Australia, Nations Championship round four |
| Date | Sunday 8 November 2026 |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London |
| Kick-off | 15:10 GMT |
| Final score | England 45, Australia 22 |
| Half-time | England 19, Australia 10 |
| England tries | Jamie George, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, Jack van Poortvliet, Henry Pollock (2), Ben Spencer |
| Australia tries | Max Jorgensen, Filipo Daugunu, Jeremy Williams |
| Conversions | Fin Smith 5 of 7 for England; Ryan Lonergan kicked a penalty and a conversion for Australia, with Ben Donaldson adding another conversion |
| Attendance | 81,334 |
| Referee | Pierre Brousset (France) |
| Fisilau debut | Came off the bench in the second half; around 25 minutes on the pitch and six tackles |
| Record | England’s highest points total against Australia, beating the 44 scored in a 44-40 win in Sydney in 2016 |
| Next fixture | England v Japan, Saturday 14 November 2026, Twickenham; then New Zealand on 21 November |
How Fisilau’s debut unfolded at Twickenham
Fisilau wore the number 20 shirt among England’s replacements, with his chance arriving after Sale Sharks back-rower Tom Curry picked up a knock in training earlier in the week. Borthwick had already made clear how highly the uncapped forward was rated, saying: “We’re all absolutely delighted for Greg. He’s worked incredibly hard to get to this point and has earned his opportunity through the way he’s performed for Exeter and in our training environment.”
He entered the game with England firmly in control and helped see out the closing stages. RugbyPass rated his debut performance 6 out of 10, noting that he made six tackles in around 25 minutes and helped maintain England’s defensive intensity. It was a quiet first outing with the ball, yet the occasion itself was the story: a first senior cap earned after years of steady progress at Sandy Park.
Baxter’s backing and the road from Exeter
Fisilau’s rise has been built on consistency rather than headlines. The Plymouth-born forward is the son of former Tonga centre Kenni Fisilau, who enjoyed a long career with Plymouth Albion, and he had already played four games for England A before his senior call-up.
Baxter has watched that progress at close quarters at Exeter, and his verdict before the match was striking. “I’m pretty certain that whatever level you picked him at, you would see a very similar level of performance from Greg,” the Chiefs boss said. Fisilau was named in Borthwick’s 36-player Nations Championship squad on 2 November 2026, and he was one of three Exeter players in the matchday 23 against Australia, with Henry Slade starting at outside centre and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso starting on the wing.
Pollock’s double powers England’s record night
England led 19-3 before Max Jorgensen’s intercept try just before half-time gave Australia a foothold at 19-10. Jack van Poortvliet finished a flowing move early in the second half, and then Henry Pollock took over. The 21-year-old, who replaced the injured Feyi-Waboso at half-time, scored twice in quick succession after being asked to provide emergency cover on the wing.
England Rugby’s official match report confirmed Pollock’s brace from the wing helped seal the win, while Reuters reported that the 45-22 scoreline was England’s highest against the Wallabies. Australia hit back through Filipo Daugunu and Jeremy Williams, but Ben Spencer’s intercept try four minutes from time completed the seven-try rout. Jamie George’s try from a driving maul was his 18th in an England shirt, making him the nation’s highest try-scoring forward ahead of Lawrence Dallaglio, and Henry Slade was named man of the match.
What the win changes for Borthwick’s England
The result arrived at a moment of real pressure for the head coach. England had lost five of their eight Tests in 2026 before Sunday, and the build-up had been dominated by reports of player unhappiness with Borthwick’s management style during the summer tour, including a report published on Thursday claiming he had presided over a toxic environment. England had also conceded 15 yellow cards in their previous eight Tests.
Sunday’s performance answered those questions for one afternoon at least. The bonus-point win moved England up to second in the Northern Hemisphere table of the Nations Championship, ahead of Ireland on points difference and two points behind France. Yet one win does not settle the autumn. Japan visit Twickenham next Saturday, and New Zealand arrive a week later, with the Finals Weekend to follow on 27-29 November.
What comes next for England and Fisilau
Fisilau will hope his debut is the start of a longer run in the squad rather than a one-off appearance. Injuries to Feyi-Waboso, who left the field with an ankle problem at half-time, and centre Seb Atkinson could open further opportunities in the back line and the back row, although England will wait on news of both players before naming their side for Japan.
The result capped a busy Sunday of British sport, after Wrexham confirmed the departure of chief executive Michael Williamson earlier in the day. For Fisilau, the next step is simple: turn a debut cameo into a case for more minutes when Japan arrive at Twickenham on Saturday 14 November.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Greg Fisilau?
Greg Fisilau is a 23-year-old Plymouth-born number eight who plays for Exeter Chiefs. He is the son of former Tonga centre Kenni Fisilau and had played four games for England A before his senior debut.
When did Greg Fisilau make his England debut?
He made his debut on Sunday 8 November 2026, coming off the bench in England’s 45-22 Nations Championship win over Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
What was the score in England v Australia?
England won 45-22, scoring seven tries to Australia’s three. England led 19-10 at half-time.
Who scored England’s tries against Australia?
Jamie George, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, Jack van Poortvliet, Henry Pollock (two) and Ben Spencer scored England’s tries, with Fin Smith landing five conversions.
Who do England play next in the Nations Championship?
England host Japan at Twickenham on Saturday 14 November 2026, followed by New Zealand on 21 November, with the Finals Weekend on 27-29 November.
Myth-busting
Myth: Fisilau came from nowhere to win his first cap.
Reality: He was named in England’s 36-player Nations Championship squad on 2 November 2026 and had already played four games for England A. His selection followed consistent club form at Exeter, not a single performance.
Myth: Henry Pollock is now a winger.
Reality: Pollock is a back-rower who provided emergency cover on the wing after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was injured at half-time. His two tries came from that makeshift role, not a change of position.
Myth: The win ends all pressure on Steve Borthwick.
Reality: England had lost five of their eight Tests in 2026 before this game, and sterner examinations against Japan and New Zealand still lie ahead this month. One record win eases the pressure; it does not remove it.
