Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper: Exeter hand debuts to Australia duo

Australia internationals Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper will make their Exeter debuts in Sunday’s Prem game against Harlequins.

Centre Ikitau, 27, is the Chiefs’ highest-profile backs signing for some seasons and will link up with England’s Henry Slade in the Exeter midfield.

He joins an exciting set of backs with Paul Brown-Bampoe and England star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wings and Josh Hodge returning at full-back after his two-game suspension.

Ikitau’s Wallabies team-mate Hooper is named at flanker in a back-row that includes England’s Ethan Roots at openside and Greg Fisilau at number eight.

“Both boys have been great, fitting in really well and have been keen to get involved as soon as possible,” Exeter director of ruby Rob Baxter told the club website.

“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.

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

Exeter: Hodge, Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Ikitau, Brown-Bampoe, Skinner, Varney; Goodrick-Clarke, Dweba, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins (capt), Tuima, Hooper, Roots, Fisilau

Replacements: Yeandle, Sio, Tchumbadze, Zambonin, Pearson, James, Chapman, Hammersley.