Exeter Chiefs to Debut Wallabies Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper

Exeter Chiefs will hand Wallabies internationals Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper their club debuts on Sunday when Harlequins visit Sandy Park for Round Four of the 2025-26 Gallagher Premiership, the club confirmed on Friday. Both players arrived in Devon after the Rugby Championship and have been integrated into training, with Ikitau named in the centres alongside Henry Slade and Hooper selected to start at blindside flanker.

Director of rugby Rob Baxter said the pair have settled quickly and expressed confidence in their readiness. "They've fitted in really, really well. They're both very keen to get involved as soon as possible," Baxter said, adding that Ikitau has had slightly more time to acclimatise while Hooper "has rocked in and is fully ready to go." Baxter also highlighted Ikitau's need to learn club calls and structures but praised his ability to carry and create opportunities.

Rugby Australia confirmed that neither player was included in the Wallabies squad for the first two autumn Tests, against Japan and England, because those fixtures fall outside World Rugby's Regulation 9 window for selecting overseas-based players. That decision cleared the way for Exeter to field...