'He looks very good, we're expecting a lot from him'

Rob Baxter has tipped 22-year-old centre Zack Wimbush for a breakthrough season as Exeter Chiefs look to fill the void left by Len Ikitau at Sandy Park ahead of the new Gallagher PREM campaign.

The 112kg centre, who qualifies for both England and Wales, was largely limited to PREM Cup appearances last season alongside a loan spell with Plymouth Albion. But after what Baxter has described as a “very, very good pre-season”, the Exeter boss expects him to kick on this term.

Baxter expects Wimbush and new signing Will Butt, who has arrived from Bath, to compete for the No.12 jersey vacated by Australia international Ikitau at the end of last season. That battle will play out during the opening block of the campaign before All Black Dallas McLeod arrives to add further competition.

While the 6ft 6in midfield powerhouse does not appear to be on the radar of Steve Borhtwick or Steve Tandy currently, particularly in a World Cup year, players with his profile and offloading game are a precious commodity in Test rugby.

The Chiefs get their new league campaign underway at home to Gloucester at the end of the month.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Bath

11:45

2 Oct 26

Exeter Chiefs

All Stats and Data

“Obviously Dallas McLeod isn’t here until post the NPC, he’s been the replacement we’ve gone with for Len,” Baxter said when assessing his inside-centre options ahead of the new season.

“But I look at how Zack Wimbush has had a very, very good preseason. Probably that grown-up ‘This is my season, this is the one I’m going to put my foot down’ type of season. It’s by far been his best preseason. He looks very good, we’re expecting a lot from him in this block.

“Will Butt’s come from Bath, he’s also trained really, really well, fitted in really well. Those two are probably lined up in that No.12 slot, as to who can fill that role.”

Baxter has also been quick to highlight the youth within his squad despite Exeter reaching the PREM final last season.

One of the stars of that final was 21-year-old wing Campbell Ridl, who scored a try and produced a try-saving tackle, and senior squad member Ethan Roots expects a “big year” from him. The England flanker has also tipped two other young players to make an impact this season.

“Campbell Ridl, we saw lots of him last year, but I think he’s probably going to break through,” Roots said. “He’s got his work cut out for him with our back three, but he’s going to have a big year.

“I think Louie Gulley, local boy, he’s in the top running group and everything. He’s had a phenomenal preseason, so if he pushes through and has a really big year, I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s tough, got a lot of good attributes to his game and really wants to prove the region proud.

“And then, outside of that, maybe Jake Murray, the new nine that’s come in. He’s a little bit older, came up to us from Harlequins. He looks pretty sharp.

“Everyone’s just raring to go. All those young fellas are raring to go, and I feel like they think there’s a space for them there.”