"World class player" - Wallabies centre confirms move to the Premiership

Wednesday, 23 April 2025 at 19:03

bySteven Smith

Exeter Chiefs have pulled off a blockbuster signing ahead of the 2025/26 season, snapping up Wallabies star Len Ikitau from the ACT Brumbies.

Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia

The electric 26-year-old centre, who already boasts over 100 professional appearances across club and country, will follow in the footsteps of fellow Aussie Scott Sio as he brings his explosive talent to Sandy Park.

“HONOURED” TO JOIN CHIEFS FAMILY

Ikitau, speaking about the switch, couldn’t hide his excitement for the new challenge ahead:

“I am very honoured to be joining Exeter Chiefs for the 2025/26 season,” he said.

“My family considers us very lucky to get to have this experience abroad with a club that is so iconic and respected, not to mention a place that loves its rugby with passionate fans.”

Having spoken to Director of Rugby Rob Baxter, Ikitau was won over by the club’s vision — and the opportunity to grow both on and off the field.

“Rob and the coaching staff have challenged me to take the next step as an on-field leader to drive success for the club,” he added.

“We are very excited to start our UK adventure and we’re looking forward to meeting all the loyal fans.”

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BRUMBIES TO BRITAIN: THE IKITAU JOURNEY

Born in Brisbane and raised in New Zealand, Ikitau returned to Aussie shores in 2012 to attend Brisbane Boys College. His pathway to professional rugby was classic Brumbies — starring for Tuggeranong Vikings before breaking into the Super Rugby squad in 2019.

He’s since racked up 60+ appearances and 22 tries for the Canberra-based club, including four in just seven matches this season alone.

His form earned him a Wallabies call-up at just 22, debuting against France in 2021. Despite narrowly missing out on the 2023 World Cup, he’s stormed back into contention and now boasts close to 40 international caps.

Three England Stars Who Could Lose Their Central Contracts

Last October, England handed out 17 enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts as part of the shiny new Professional Game Partnership deal.

It gave head coach Steve Borthwick more control than ever, including the final word on all sports science and medical matters.

Among the big winners were George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith – all three fly-halves receiving upgraded deals ahead of the autumn internationals.

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But fast forward six months, and not all those golden ticket holders are sitting pretty. We take a look at three players who could be on the chopping block ahead of the next round of central contract decisions.

#1. Henry Slade – The Class Act Losing His Place

Slade’s silky style has long made him a favourite with fans – but his Six Nations was anything but smooth. Once pencilled in as a midfield maestro, he now finds himself completely out of Borthwick’s 23.

His combination with Ollie Lawrence never quite clicked, and although there were flickers of promise, it wasn't enough to convince the coaches. Slade was ultimately cast aside in favour of Fraser Dingwall, and now his England future – and his central contract – looks seriously uncertain.

Possible replacement: Fraser Dingwall

The mid-Six Nations switch that saw him take Slade's place has given Dingwall a solid opportunity to make a real push for a long-term role in the squad. A gritty and intelligent player, he’s an ideal fit in the centre and could continue his rise with consistent performances.

#2. Theo Dan – The Rise and Fall

Dan looked to be the hooker-in-waiting not long ago, but with Luke Cowan-Dickie back in the mix and firing, the Saracen has tumbled down the pecking order.

He managed just a single appearance in the 2025 Six Nations, coming off the bench late against Ireland when the game was already slipping away.

He gave it his all and made his presence felt in the collisions, but the timing didn’t allow for a real impact.

With Jamie George still first choice and LCD surging back, Dan might be sweating over that central contract renewal.

Possible replacement: Luke Cowan-Dickie

With the England hooker pool still fairly tight, LCD’s return to form after a spell on the sidelines could see him leapfrog others back into the starting role. His set-piece mastery and work rate up front could be enough to secure him a spot, especially with competition thinning out.

#3. George Ford – Still Magic, But Marginalised

Here’s the big one. Ford, the experienced general with nearly a century of caps, has found himself on the fringes thanks to Fin Smith’s electric rise.

He only got a sliver of game time during the Championship – a brief stint against Wales – but what a cameo it was.

Two assists and a masterclass in game management. Classic Ford: overlooked, underrated, but undeniably brilliant.

With both Smiths tipped for Lions duty this summer, Ford will have a golden window to remind everyone – including Borthwick – why he still deserves that England contract.

Possible replacement: Jack van Poortvliet (this would even up the squad with two scrum-halves and two fly-halves)

A real option for the future at scrum-half, van Poortvliet could offer Borthwick the ideal balance in the half-back department. With the potential for two fly-halves and two scrum-halves in the squad, van Poortvliet's dynamism and composure could provide the extra spark needed to even things out.

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