Exeter's Wallabies recruits come straight into start against Quins

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter is set to unleash the Wallabies duo Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper in front of the TNT Sport cameras when Harlequins visit Sandy Park on Sunday afternoon.

Centre Ikitau wasn’t considered for last weekend’s defeat to Bristol Bears, and back-rower Hooper didn’t arrive in Devon until Sunday, but both have impressed director of rugby Baxter with how they have settled in.

“Both boys have been great, fitting in really well and have been keen to get involved as soon as possible. Len’s been here a little bit longer, so has had more of a chance to get acclimatised, but Tom has rocked in and is fully ready to go.

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“They’ve both done everything they can do since minute one of turning up, so fair play to them. Lads have embraced them and we’re all excited to have them here,” he said.

Ikitau partners Henry Slade in the centres with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Paul Brown-Bampoe on the wings, while Josh Hodge returns from suspension to start behind them at full-back.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Exeter Chiefs

38 - 0

Full-time

Harlequins

All Stats and Data

Hooper starts at blindside flanker, Ethan Roots on the openside, and Greg Fisilau in the No.8 berth in the absence of Ross Vintcent, who failed a HIA at Ashton Gate.

Baxter also recalls Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba, who missed out on the West Country derby with a knee injury, with Jack Yeandle moving to the bench.

“You’ve got to have a way of building through a season and not lurch from result to result. We’re frustrated we didn’t see off the game last weekend at Bristol.

“We move forward now into two home games and look to collect more points. We’ve collected points from each game. Building on that will get us where we want to be by the end of the season,” added Baxter

Exeter Chiefs XV: Josh Hodge, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Len Ikitau, Paul Brown-Bampoe, Harvey Skinner, Stephen Varney; Will Goodrick-Clarke, Joseph Dweba, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Dafydd Jenkins (c), Rusi Tuima, Tom Hooper, Ethan Roots, Greg Fisilau
Replacements: Jack Yeandle, Scott Sio, Bachuki Tchumbadze, Andrea Zambonin, Lewis Pearson, Kane James, Charlie Chapman, Ben Hammersley