Leicester Tigers have defeated Exeter 17-14 in the opening fixture of the Gallagher Premiership season at Sandy Park.

Tommy Reffell capped an incredible display of fight from Tigers as the Welsh internation and Academy product scored in the 80th minute to win the game.

A tense first-half only produced one score, Tigers fly-half Jamie Shillcock slotting a drop-goal on the stroke of half-time.

Exeter had the only clear-cut chances to get over the line in the opening period, but despite Leicester centre seeing yellow, Chiefs couldn’t quite convert making it 3-0 Tigers at the break.

Chiefs would be the ones to grab hold of the contest after 47 minutes, Greg Fisilau the one to get the ball down with Josh Hodge nailing the conversion.

The home side extended their advantage 10 minutes later, replacement scrum-half going over from close range. Hodge made it 14-3.

Tigers got back into the game through Hanro Liebenberg, the flanker coming up with the ball off a rolling drive.

Jamie Shillcock pulled tigers to within four with his conversion.

Solomone Kata would then see red for a high-tackle in the 71st minute, Tigers down to 14 for the remainder of the game.

Despite the adversity, Tigers found a way and Reffell, again from short-range somehow found a way to score, winning the game after the 80 minutes were up.

Volavola converted to make it 17-14.