Exeter Chiefs host Harlequins at Sandy Park on Saturday in Round Five of the 2026/27 Gallagher PREM

Rob Baxter revealed Exeter Chiefs could welcome back both Wallabies forward Tom Hooper and England wing star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for Saturday’s Gallagher PREM clash with Harlequins at Sandy Park.

Equally, both internationals could miss the match, but they are progressing nicely after scans on their respective shoulder and hamstring injuries. Hooper came off shortly before half-time in Exeter’s 20-7 defeat at Bristol Bears on Saturday with complaints around the same shoulder he injured while playing for the Wallabies back in July.

But providing an update on the Australian, Chiefs director of rugby Baxter said: “Most of what we've seen is positive. So scans, CT, MRI, CTs show no re-fracture of that fractured scapula, very little, virtually no swelling. So I think our prognosis at this stage is that it's been a hard bang on that fracture site that has created pain, numbness, and a lack of mobility, hopefully for a restricted period, and that we can assess him day-by-day now.

“The one thing that's really important is there's been no catastrophic injury there. So we're hopeful, and we'll monitor him day-by-day and see where we can get to by the end of the week.”

Feyi-Waboso has been in camp with England this week, along with Henry Slade and Greg Fisilau, as he continues to rehab the minor hamstring injury he suffered in the 34-28 win against Newcastle Red Bulls on October 11.

But he could be cleared to play this weekend; however, the winger will need the green light from the England medical team as well as Chiefs because he is on an Enhanced Elite Player Squad contract which hands them control of his rehab, and Steve Borthwick wants him to face Australia on November 8 in the Nations Championship.

Baxter said: “So things are progressing very well. Following the scan on Sunday, they saw that he was progressing in the right direction. He ticked the boxes he needed to with England yesterday to allow him to train today. We're hopeful that then we'll be able to liaise with England on his availability for the weekend.

“I think providing he gets through training okay today, then he's progressing towards playing, yes.

“Obviously, he's an international-quality player. It'd be fantastic to have him available. So let's cross our fingers and hope that things keep progressing at the rate they are.”

Feyi-Waboso’s return to action would be timely, with Chiefs still looking stretched in the backline with Campbell Ridl [ACL] and Tommy Wyatt [ankle] out; however, Baxter confirmed Paul Brown-Bampoe is now close to a return from heel surgery, but the winger won’t make this weekend.

Looking at the wide squad, Baxter confirmed he is beginning to have more depth in his selection pool across the board. He said: “Dallas McLeod turns up this week [from New Zealand, where he has been playing in the NPC, winning the competition with Canterbury last weekend]

“He won't be available for this weekend, but he turns up this week. Andrea Zambonin should be getting fit over the Prem Cup period. We've got Nika Abuladze up and running now. Bachu Tchumbadze should be back and fit shortly. Our options are thickening out, not thinning at the moment, touch wood. And I think Paul Brown is coming back; Manny hoped to get fit again. We've got enough positives coming into what I feel is a decent group to stay on the right footing.”

Baxter also confirmed that Italian international Ross Vintcent picked up a cut against Bristol that required treatment at the time but is not a major concern, and that lock Lewis Pearson is back fit having been sidelined with a pectoral tear.

South African lock André Goedhals has also touched down in Devon and is in the selection mix, although the 21-year-old needs some time to get up to speed.

Baxter said: "He's here. He's training now. He's taken part in two or three training sessions, which is great.

"The key for him is to quickly get up to speed with things like lineout calling.

"It's a great opportunity for us now; he's here now, we can get him up and running through the Prem Cup period, which will be great.

"We can pick him in multiple positions, try and just get him involved around the set piece, because that's what will then make him selectable.

" It's difficult at the minute to chuck someone in into the whole thing of lineout calling, especially when he's been at a team where Afrikaans has been the main calling structure of things.

"He's settled in, he's working hard, he's already physically looking very good. So I'm really excited to see him play over the next few weeks."