Bristol Bears host Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on Saturday in Round Four of the 2026/237 Gallagher PREM

Exeter Chiefs’ injury-hit backline could be bolstered by the return of Olly Woodburn for Saturday’s trip to Bristol Bears in Round Four of the Gallagher PREM, but they will be without winger Tommy Wyatt.

Wyatt, who can play both wing and full back, just can’t seem to catch a break as he made his return from double ACL injuries at the start of this season only to suffer a shoulder injury against Bristol Bears in the PREM Rugby Cup. And on Saturday he limped off during the epic 43-40 defeat away at Toulouse in the Champions Cup.

Providing an update, Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Tommy's ankle injury is more significant. He's done a decent job. There are a few ligaments strained and pulled and bits there, but I think the initial prognosis is it's not operable, so he should be back either late in the Prem Cup period or as we get back into the Premiership, hopefully, if things go well.

“So again, it was another significant injury to a, to a back-three player, which we seem to be stacking up pretty quickly.”

There was better news in regard to Zack Wimbush, who was employed on the wing against Toulouse with England star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Olly Woodburn, Paul Brown-Bampoe and Campbell Ridl all sidelined, and scored a hat-trick before limping off.

Baxter said: “Zack Wimbush came off with a bit of a rolled ankle, but he's reporting a lot better. So, hopefully, that's just the one injury in the backs [Wyatt] that we'll have to contend with. Outside of that, there were just the usual bumps and bruises and the aftereffects of a tough game.”

While Ridl is out for the season with an ACL injury, Feyi-Waboso [hamstring], Brown-Bampoe [heel] and Woodburn [ankle] are all closing in on a playing return, with the latter closest. Baxter said: “Olly Woodburn has trained pretty well this week, so could well become available.

“Paul Brown-Bampoe is getting close [following surgery on his heel during the summer]. He's having a, a consultation today. That will probably be ticking the boxes about where he'll be as regards full training. I think if he gets the clearance to be in full training, he potentially becomes available soon, but not this weekend, clearly.”

As for Feyi-Waboso, Exeter and England could well be wading into another club v country conflict, with the medical staff from the national team having the final say on when he plays as per the latest Professional Game Partnership which gives England head coach Steve Borthwick extra authority over people in his Elite Player Squad.

Speaking about Feyi-Waboso, who reported a tightness in his hamstring in the win against Newcastle Red Bulls a fortnight ago, Baxter said: “I mean, he was running quite quickly, but it's hard for me to say [when he will play], probably, because I think we're really pleased with his progress. England are probably a little bit more safety-first about it, so that's just where we are and that's kind of where he is.

“England's physios are down here on a regular basis working with Jamie Fulton, our head physio. He's progressing along; he's running around pretty well at decent speed.

“He's going to have a re-scan at the weekend, and, and that will help make the next decision on where things go next week.”

England kick off their Nations Championship campaign against the Wallabies on November 8.