Len Ikitau: Exeter sign Australia centre for next season

Baxter said Ikitau was one of the “top centres” in world rugby.

“He’s playing very well, he’s very keen to experience something else,” Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.

“He’s talked a lot with the Australians who have been here at Exeter, they’ve all said that if he gets over here and throws himself into it, then he’ll have a great time, and that’s very much what we want him to experience next season.”

Ikitau is set to make the move to Devon over the summer following the conclusion of the Super Rugby season and the British and Irish Lions’ series against Australia – where he will be likely to play for the Wallabies.

He also comes in to fill a gap in Exeter’s midfield with Wales centre Joe Hawkins joining Scarlets when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Ikitau is the third Australian international to sign for the Chiefs for next season, following hooker Julian Heaven and back row Tom Hooper.

Baxter said he believed Ikitau could be a “special” player for the club.

“I’m very positive about the impact he can have, and our job is to create a team and an environment that lets all the individuals shine and what they’re good at,” Baxter said.

“And if we can do that with Len, we could see something very special.”