Rugby Australia has a massive couple of weeks of negotiating ahead of them, with one Wallaby set to join the Exeter Chiefs and another firmly in the English Premiership club’s sights in a blow that could impact Super Rugby and the nation’s lead-up to the home World Cup in 2027.
The Roar can reveal that not only is starting centre Len Ikitau set to join Exeter Chiefs but his Wallabies teammate Jake Gordon is also in deep conversations with the Premiership outfit.
If Gordon goes, Exeter boss Rob Baxter will be rubbing his hands together because the premiership-winning coach, who has long targeted Australians, long identified securing a lock, halfback and centre to help bolster his fallen squad, and he is close to pulling off the trifecta.
Len Ikitau (L) will join Exeter later this year, while Jake Gordon (R) is also in negotiations with the club. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Already rising hooker Julian Heaven, who is English-eligible and rose to prominence last year during the Waratahs’ injury crisis, is another who is off to the Chiefs and he will join former Wallaby Scott Sio at the club.
Ikitau, whose stocks soared late last year after moving to inside centre and forming a lethal combination with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, was always likely to go overseas given the money being thrown at the 26-year-old – but it just depends on the length of his deal.
The Roar understands Ikitau has agreed to a nine-month deal that will see the centre arrive in the south west of England later this year and likely return to the Brumbies following the 2026 Super Rugby season.
But his return next July would depend on RA coming to the party financially.
If they don’t, Ikitau will stay at Exeter for a second season before returning following the 2027 Super Rugby season so that he can be front and centre for a maiden World Cup crack.
Len Ikitau will join Exeter, but whether he stays in England for a second season depends on Rugby Australia coming to the party. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Although Ikitau will head overseas, the fact he has indicated he will return to Super Rugby will mean the Wallabies will continue to pick him.
As part of his deal with Exeter, Ikitau has had clauses built into his deal that will see him largely be eligible for selection.
Indeed, The Roar understands Ikitau will only miss the Tests against Japan and France later this year after RA and Exeter came to a happy medium to free up his eligiblity for the Tests against England, Italy and Ireland.
The three Tests loom as important ones as the Wallabies attempt to climb up the World Rugby rankings so they can have a top-six seed ahead of the World Cup draw for the 2027 tournament.
While Ikitau will definitely not be lining up for the Brumbies in 2026, Gordon’s next deal is still unfolding after attracting interest in England, France and Japan.
At 31, and in the prime of his career, time is running out for Gordon if he wants to play overseas with his next deal to likely take him through to his mid-30s.
It’s something the Waratahs captain, who has been the constant in a messy five years at the Super Rugby franchise since taking on the leadership duties, has already opened up on.
But given he’s Joe Schmidt’s first-choice halfback, with 34-year-old Nic White not getting any younger and Tate McDermott’s greatest weapon his pace, RA would likely not want to lose the NSW captain to the Chiefs in the lead up to the 2027 World Cup.
Jake Gordon is weighing up an offer to move to Exeter. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Of course RA could still pick Gordon from overseas, but the governing body has expressed a strong desire to pick from home.
An increased offer will likely influence Gordon’s decision on whether to stay or go, but it’s understood the halfback is also interested in who the next Wallabies coach will be after also being looked past by Jones.
An announcement on the next Wallabies coach is expected next month, with Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss the leading candidate to take over from Schmidt
