High entropy alloys (HEAs) are increasingly studied for nuclear applications due to their unique combination of desirable properties including radiation resistance that are straightforward to tailor. In this study, we investigated intrinsic defect formation in the equiatomic BCC MoNbTaVW HEA by means of density functional theory, the goal being to assess its response to radiation damage in its possible use as plasma facing material in future nuclear fusion devices. We show that when interstitial defects were considered, a clear preference for the formation of split interstitial defects is observed. Vanadium was the most common interstitial defect species after relaxation and most favourable when incorporated into split interstitial defects, often forming when other interstitials elements were initially placed within the structure. The results are rationalized based on the physical properties of the different elements.