Baxter confirms Hooper available for Newcastle clash after Bledisloe omission

Tom Hooper is set to return to action for Exeter Chiefs as early as this weekend after flying back to England on Thursday morning, with head coach Rob Baxter confirming the Wallaby back-rower is likely to feature from the bench when Newcastle Red Bulls visit Sandy Park.

Hooper was released early from Australian international duty after being left out of Les Kiss’s squad for the two Bledisloe Cup Tests against New Zealand — a timely boost for Exeter, who have lost their opening two Gallagher Premiership matches against Gloucester and Bath.

“He’s actually landed this morning,” Baxter said. “So he’ll have a screen, and I will assess exactly where he is after speaking to the medical team. If he’s got the opportunity to play, he’ll just join in the walkthroughs of stuff this afternoon.”

Baxter was keen to stress that Hooper, a key figure in the Chiefs’ run to last season’s Premiership final, is in good physical shape despite the travel. “He’s had 10 days off in Australia since his last game, and he had good rest periods while he was away. I don’t think we’re looking at a guy who’s on the edge. He’s a guy who’s ready to train and play.”

The coach added that Hooper’s mood was unmistakably upbeat. “I actually spoke to him just now, and he said he was ready to break the Bronco record at the club. So you can tell the mood he’s in — he’s ready to go.”

Elsewhere in the squad, Baxter provided a mixed injury update. Italian international back-rower Ross Vintcent has returned to full fitness, hooker Max Norey and loosehead prop Nika Abuladze are close to returning, while winger Paul Brown-Bampoe and lock Andrea Zambonin are also edging nearer to availability.

However, winger Olly Woodburn faces a period on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and former England A flanker Richard Capstick is facing an uncertain timeline after a recurrence of a shoulder problem.

“The last operation failed, which obviously puts him in a difficult scenario,” Baxter explained. “Do you have the operation redone? Do you try and see if there’s something else you can do? He could be back this season, but we’ll have to see.”