According to reports, Exeter Chiefs could complete a dramatic triple signing of Australian stars Len Ikitau, Jake Gordon and Julian Heaven ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The Devonians have already bolstered their ranks with Wallabies forward Tom Hooper ahead of the new season, but this potential triple signing is a huge boost for Rob Baxter’s side, who currently sit ninth in the Premiership table.
Exeter Chiefs set for Aussie triple signing
According to reports from both The Roar and the Telegraph, Ikitau has already penned a deal to take him to Sandy Park after the conclusion of this year’s Rugby Championship campaign and will join the club on a nine-month deal before returning to Australia for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
However, The Roar also suggest he could stay in the South West for a second season unless Rugby Australia ‘come to the party financially’. In which case, he would return south for the 2027 campaign ahead of the World Cup.
The report also states Ikitau will have clauses built into his contract to make him eligible for Wallabies selection, and he will likely continue to be included given his indication of a return to Super Rugby.
Centre is one area Baxter does have strength-in-depth in at the moment, but Joe Hawkins has been heavily linked with a return to Wales at the end of the season while Tamati Tua and Will Rigg were not included on a list of retained players for the 25/26 season.
Wallabies scrum-half Jake Gordon is also reportedly attracting the interest of the Chiefs as well. Baxter has been looking to bring in a new scrum-half for some time now, and the club have previously been linked with a play for Sale Sharks man Raffi Quirke and a dramatic return of Exeter fan favourite – and fellow Wallaby – Nic White.
31-year-old Gordon would be a good signing for Exeter too. The club have been crying out for an experienced scrum-half since the departure of White in 2020 and Gordon’s 29 Wallabies caps would add exactly that.
Hooker situation
Hooker Heaven, 24, would also be a tidy addition to the ranks. Dan Frost is already confirmed to be heading for the exit door next season and there is a suggestion that club stalwart Jack Yeandle could also be on his way out of the club after 13 years.
Heaven might not be the only new hooker through the door at Sandy Park next year either, with Springboks and Stormers man Joseph Dweba also looking likely to join the club.
Baxter has previously detailed that the club are freeing up cash to hit the market hard for the new campaign and this splurge down under suggests they are moving in that direction.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/wallabies-star-set-to-sign-for-premiership-club-with-another-potentially-on-the-way-but-clauses-to-limit-rugby-australia-blow-report
