Exeter Chiefs boss reveals ‘challenge’ facing ‘world class’ Len Ikitau as injury update offered
Len Ikitau (left) has been challenged to get up to speed as quickly as possible by Rob Baxter (right) ahead of his return to the field
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has challenged Len Ikitau to get back to speed as quickly as possible, with the centre finally available for selection.
Ikitau has been frustratingly close to making a return from a dislocated shoulder for several weeks, with Baxter detailing he was battling with ‘temptation’ to play him last weekend against Northampton Saints, but it seems he has ticked every single box ahead of their trip to Gloucester this weekend.
He is the latest Test star to re-join the Exeter ranks in recent weeks, with Ethan Roots making his return from a calf issue last weekend against Northampton and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso fully operational once again after a lengthy lay-off with a hamstring injury.
Len Ikitau set for Exeter Chiefs return
Ikitau has not featured for the Chiefs since their PREM win over Saracens back in December, but he looks set to make his comeback this weekend at Kingsholm.
“Len Ikitau is fully fit and in full training,” Exeter DoR Baxter said.
“It’ll be fantastic (to have him back). He’s a world-class player, isn’t he, but the challenge for him is to get back up to speed quickly with limited game-time.
“This time of year, you get fit and you’re playing PREM rugby, so hopefully he can get up to speed quickly. He’s a very professional guy, he’s trained well over the last two weeks, and having him involved is a bonus.”
The centre is one of a number of Chiefs players back in contention this weekend, with Baxter confirming the squad is starting to ‘thicken out’ heading into the run-in.
“We have a couple of other guys (back from injury). Josh Iosefa-Scott is in full training, Will Goodrick-Clark has been in full training for a couple of weeks now and Ben Hammersley is flat out in training now, so we’ve got some options.
“We’re starting to thicken out, and on the whole it’s not looking too bad.”
But, they will be without experienced duo Jack Yeandle and Olly Woodburn this weekend, after the pair both picked up knocks in their defeat to the Saints on Saturday.
“The prognosis isn’t great for either of them,” Baxter said. “Jack’s had a scan on his foot this morning, so we’re waiting for the results of that. It’s very swollen today, so that doesn’t look good.
“Olly’s hamstring isn’t too bad initially, but we need to get into the first stages of treatment to see how quickly we can turn him around.”
