Exeter's Ridl faces season-ending ACL injury after 17-try breakout campaign

Campbell Ridl, one of English rugby’s most exciting young backs, is facing a season-ending ACL injury that is expected to rule him out for most or all of the 2026-27 campaign, Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter confirmed ahead of Saturday’s 45-21 Premiership Rugby Cup win over Bristol Bears at Sandy Park.

“Campbell Ridl looks like it’s going to be a significant knee injury,” Baxter told BBC Radio Devon, with the club expected to make a formal announcement this week once the full extent of the damage has been assessed.

The blow lands hard for a player who had just completed one of the most eye-catching breakout seasons in the Premiership. The former England under-20 international — equally capable at full-back and outside centre — scored 17 tries in 21 appearances in 2024-25, including one in Exeter’s Gallagher Premiership Final defeat to Northampton Saints at Twickenham. He is widely regarded as among the brightest young talents in the game.

Exeter’s injury concerns do not end with Ridl. Full-back Tommy Wyatt, who had only just returned from consecutive knee injuries, is now facing further time on the sidelines after picking up a shoulder problem against Bristol. Baxter confirmed Wyatt will undergo a scan, with the initial prognosis offering little encouragement so soon after his comeback against the Scarlets ten days ago.

Despite the setbacks, Baxter is pressing ahead with preparations for the new Premiership season. He expects senior internationals including Henry Slade, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ross Vintcent and Stephen Varney to play at least 60 minutes against Cardiff this weekend.

“We probably need to give our internationals at least 60 minutes, but we’re going to take an extended squad, so if anybody starts to pull up a little tight or has a little niggle we don’t need to leave anybody on the field,” Baxter said. “I think it’s important that we get a bit of game time into a few guys that we feel have only had limited pre-season game time to get them ready for the season starting.”

Exeter open their Gallagher Premiership campaign against Gloucester shortly after the Cardiff fixture.