Tom Hooper is back in an Exeter Chiefs matchday squad for the first time this season, named among the replacements as Sandy Park hosts Newcastle Red Bulls in round three of the Gallagher Premiership. The Wallabies back-rower arrived in the UK this week straight from Rugby Championship duty, and his availability gives director of rugby Rob Baxter a timely boost in the back row.
A Returning Forward With a Proven Record
Hooper made more than 20 appearances in his first season at Exeter, including a start in the 2026 Premiership Final, so his return carries weight beyond squad depth. International players moving between northern and southern hemisphere commitments is now a routine feature of the club calendar, and clubs like Exeter must manage conditioning and match sharpness carefully when a player steps back in after a Test window. For now, Hooper starts on the bench alongside Wales international Kane James, who drops out of the starting back row to make way for Italy's Ross Vintcent.
Changes Across the Pack and Backline
Baxter has made just one alteration to his starting forwards, with Vintcent slotting in at openside flanker. The rest of the pack that performed well against Bath is retained: Ethan Burger and Josh Iosefa-Scott start either side of hooker Jack Yeandle, while captain Dafydd Jenkins partners Harry Wilson in the second row. Ethan Roots and Greg Fisilau, both prominent tacklers last time out, complete the back row with Vintcent.
In the backs, Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner continue their half-back partnership after both scored against Bath. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Wyatt start on the wings, Sam Harris comes in at full-back following a knock to Olly Woodburn, and Will Butt lines up in midfield alongside Henry Slade.
Baxter's Message: Consistency Over Comfort
Baxter was candid in assessing where his side stands after two rounds, pointing to a losing bonus-point draw at Bath as a reasonable return but stressing the need for sustained improvement. He flagged Newcastle as a side with individual quality still finding its collective rhythm, a dynamic common to many Premiership squads undergoing transition. For Exeter, a home win would push their points tally into what Baxter described as a position that "starts to look back on track" - a pragmatic framing rather than a guarantee, reflecting the incremental nature of league form over a long season.
What the Squad Sheet Tells Us
- Hooper's inclusion signals a fully available back-row rotation for the first time this campaign.
- Vintcent's promotion to the starting XV reflects selection competition at openside flanker.
- Injury cover at full-back (Harris for Woodburn) illustrates the squad depth Premiership clubs now require across a congested fixture list.
- Unused replacements Sam Wolstenholme, Will Haydon-Wood and Zack Wimbush remain in reserve, underlining the breadth of talent competing for minutes.
Kick-off at Sandy Park is set for 15:00, with Exeter looking to build momentum in a Premiership season still finding its shape across the division.