Exeter Chiefs' director of rugby, Rob Baxter, has hinted at a significant boost for the team with the imminent return of key players Len Ikitau and Ethan Roots. Both players have missed substantial parts of the season due to injuries, with Ikitau last playing in December and Roots out since February. Their return comes at a critical juncture as the Chiefs push for success in both the PREM and the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Baxter shared that a number of players are nearing full fitness and are actively participating in training sessions. "The guys who are back in full training and ticking last boxes are Len Ikitau, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ethan Roots, Paul Brown-Bampoe, and Ben Hammersley," Baxter revealed. He added, "We’re starting to thicken out a little bit."
"For most of them, Ethan is probably a little bit further along than the rest of them, but I would be surprised if we don’t see most of them involved in the next two or three weeks."
However, the reintroduction of Ikitau to the playing field is not without its challenges. Despite his undeniable impact and his dynamic centre partnership with Henry Slade, Ikitau has been limited to just five appearances this season. The extended absence has left him eager to return, yet Baxter is cautious about accelerating his comeback.
"Len is desperate to play, but he’s also got one or two little boxes to tick to make sure he’s properly ready to go," Baxter said. He emphasized the importance of patience and adherence to medical advice to ensure Ikitau's readiness. "Pushing him early is always a temptation," he admitted, "But I think we know exactly where we are with Len and we’ll get that process correct."
Elsewhere in the squad, prop Ehren Painter has made a noteworthy return after a 15-month hiatus due to an ACL injury. He successfully participated in a friendly against the Navy, signaling his readiness to rejoin the senior team. Baxter noted, "He came through fully fit, so he’s declared fully fit." However, the upcoming matches on synthetic 4G pitches pose an additional challenge for Painter's return, given the nature of his recovery. Baxter remains optimistic about integrating him back into game situations effectively.
As the Exeter Chiefs prepare for their next fixtures, the return of these players could provide a substantial uplift in their campaign across competitions. The strategic reintroduction of Ikitau and Roots, coupled with the ongoing recovery of other squad members, underscores a period of rejuvenation for the team as they eye crucial victories ahead.
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Exeter Chiefs' director of rugby, Rob Baxter, has hinted at a significant boost for the team with the imminent return of key players Len Ikitau and Ethan Roots. Both players have missed substantial parts of the season due to injuries, with Ikitau last playing in December and Roots out since February. Their return comes at a critical juncture as the Chiefs push for success in both the PREM and the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Baxter shared that a number of players are nearing full fitness and are actively participating in training sessions. "The guys who are back in full training and ticking last boxes are Len Ikitau, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ethan Roots, Paul Brown-Bampoe, and Ben Hammersley," Baxter revealed. He added, "We’re starting to thicken out a little bit."
"For most of them, Ethan is probably a little bit further along than the rest of them, but I would be surprised if we don’t see most of them involved in the next two or three weeks."
However, the reintroduction of Ikitau to the playing field is not without its challenges. Despite his undeniable impact and his dynamic centre partnership with Henry Slade, Ikitau has been limited to just five appearances this season. The extended absence has left him eager to return, yet Baxter is cautious about accelerating his comeback.
"Len is desperate to play, but he’s also got one or two little boxes to tick to make sure he’s properly ready to go," Baxter said. He emphasized the importance of patience and adherence to medical advice to ensure Ikitau's readiness. "Pushing him early is always a temptation," he admitted, "But I think we know exactly where we are with Len and we’ll get that process correct."
Elsewhere in the squad, prop Ehren Painter has made a noteworthy return after a 15-month hiatus due to an ACL injury. He successfully participated in a friendly against the Navy, signaling his readiness to rejoin the senior team. Baxter noted, "He came through fully fit, so he’s declared fully fit." However, the upcoming matches on synthetic 4G pitches pose an additional challenge for Painter's return, given the nature of his recovery. Baxter remains optimistic about integrating him back into game situations effectively.
As the Exeter Chiefs prepare for their next fixtures, the return of these players could provide a substantial uplift in their campaign across competitions. The strategic reintroduction of Ikitau and Roots, coupled with the ongoing recovery of other squad members, underscores a period of rejuvenation for the team as they eye crucial victories ahead.