Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper: Australia duo join ‘bunch of brothers’ at Exeter

Exeter Chiefs coach Ross McMillan says Australia internationals Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper have slotted in seamlessly to the squad.

The pair made their debuts in the impressive 38-0 win over Harlequins on Sunday.

Ikitau helped set up Henry Slade’s first try while Hooper was part of a dominant forward pack that reduced Quins to few chances.

Ikitau linked up with his new team-mates a fortnight ago while Hooper has only been in the country for a week after both played for Australia in the Rugby Championship.

“Those guys have just come straight in. It’s like they’ve been there all the way through the season,” “McMillan told BBC Sport after the game.

“Not just what you’ve seen out on the paddock today, but also within our environment.

“These guys are from the other side of the world, but they’re well versed in rugby and they’re also rugby men.”

The win was Exeter’s second in four league games this season – half the tally of victories they achieved throughout the entirety of the last campaign.

McMillan says their statement win over Quins shows the improvements Exeter are making following their worst-ever season in the top flight.

“We’ve been questioned the past around us behind the scenes and what’s gone on,” added McMillan.

“You’re starting to see actually that there are good people here, there’s good men here, there’s proper rugby people here.

“Guys like that with international quality step into our environment and they’ve just spoken to the guys about they feel like they’ve joined a bunch of brothers.

“That’s huge for us that they feel like they’ve done that.”