Exeter Chiefs issue mixed news on Wallaby Tom Hooper

Exeter Chiefs have revealed mixed injury news about Wallaby back row Tom Hooper, who has been told that he doesn’t need an operation on a knee injury that he suffered last weekend.

Hooper, who has been superb since joining the Chiefs from the Brumbies in October, was injured after only eight minutes of the 8-3 defeat to the Bears when Manny Feyi-Waboso fell into him after an Ellis Genge push.

Chiefs boss Rob Baxter told the media earlier this week that he hoped scans would show Hooper had strained his MCL, which has now been confirmed, but he still faces between six and eight weeks on the sidelines.

Hooper was set to be rested from the Chiefs’ side that plays in this block of the PREM Rugby Cup fixtures and should now be available by the time that play-off rivals Sale Sharks visit in the Gallagher PREM on March 21st.

The club have said that Hooper will undergo an extensive rehab programme with their medical team, but the news on another of the Chiefs’ back row, Kane James, isn’t as good.

The England under-20 international had to leave the pitch after 11 minutes in the Chiefs’ Challenge Cup final pool fixture against Cardiff Rugby two weeks ago.

A scan has revealed a major ankle injury, and the 20-year-old will have an operation this week and will then enter a rehab programme, which is expected to last between 12 and 14 weeks.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have revealed that both full-back Josh Hodge and tighthead Josh Iosefa-Scott have returned to full team training and are available for selection.

Full-back Hodge, who is joining Newcastle Red Bulls next season, has played only seven games this season and has been out of action since being injured in the PREM win at the Sharks at the end of November.

Ironically, Iosefa-Scott, who has made eight appearances this season, has been on the sidelines since he was hurt in the win in Greater Manchester.