Exeter Chiefs have completed the signing of Len Ikitau, Australia’s star centre, in a major coup for both the Chiefs and the Premiership.
Ikitau, who has 40 caps for the Wallabies, has been at the Canberra-based Brumbies since 2019 but will move to the South West on a big-money deal after this year’s Lions tour and Rugby Championship, which finishes at the beginning of October.
The 26-year-old, whose arrival in Exeter could end up as the signing of the Premiership season, has worn both the No 12 and No 13 jerseys for the Green and Gold and for the Brumbies in Super Rugby, and started at inside centre for Australia’s thrilling 42-37 victory at Allianz Stadium last November. It was Ikitau’s fend and offload which sent wing Max Jorgensen down the touchline to score the last-play winner against England last year and the Brisbane-born centre started the rest of the Wallabies’ autumn internationals against Wales, Scotland and Ireland respectively.
Of Samoan descent, Ikitau made his Australia debut in 2021, coming off the bench in a 26-28 loss to France in Melbourne. An injury in July 2023 ruled him out of that year’s World Cup but the centre has gone on to play a leading role for the Wallabies under head coach Joe Schmidt.
But even though Ikitau will still be available for this summer’s Lions tour, his departure comes as a blow for Rugby Australia, who are also recruiting Schmidt’s successor for after the Rugby Championship.
Exeter have been looking to add quality to their midfield ahead of next season. Joe Hawkins is returning to Cardiff at the end of the current campaign while Henry Slade, the England centre and a veteran at Sandy Park, has mainly featured at fly-half this season.
Ikitau, a powerful, dynamic ball-carrier, will be joining compatriot and clubmate Tom Hooper in Exeter next season, the Australian flanker whose arrival at Sandy Park was announced by the Chiefs last month. Will Rigg has also been rumoured to be departing the South West.
Joseph Dweba, the South Africa hooker, is reportedly set to join Exeter with current hooker Dan Frost returning to Bath, his formative club.
