Hooper scan scare deepens Exeter's injury crisis after Bristol derby defeat

Tom Hooper will require a scan after aggravating a pre-existing shoulder injury during Exeter Chiefs’ 20-7 Gallagher Premiership defeat to Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on Saturday, leaving the Wallaby back-rower’s short-term availability in doubt.

Hooper, 25, picked up the knock just before half-time — the same shoulder he hurt on international duty over the summer. The 25-year-old has managed only three appearances for the Chiefs this season, and head coach Rob Baxter admitted the club would not know the full extent of the damage for some time.

“He had a bang on the shoulder that he injured before. Hopefully it’s not a bad injury, but he will need to have a scan, and he has just aggravated it, but we won’t know for a little while,” Baxter told Devon Live. “We are having one of those injury situations at the moment, but it is what it is, and we will just get on with it.”

Australia head coach Les Kiss will be monitoring the situation closely, with Hooper potentially needed for the Nations Championship. The Wallabies are scheduled to face England at Twickenham a week on Sunday.

The injury compounds an already difficult spell for Exeter, who have lost three of their opening four Premiership games and sit ninth in the table with eight points — one ahead of Harlequins, who visit Sandy Park this weekend. Baxter was clear about the importance of that fixture, noting that the Chiefs beat Harlequins at home last season and must do so again.

The wider injury picture at Sandy Park makes grim reading. Full-back Tommy Wyatt is facing weeks on the sidelines after damaging ankle ligaments in the Champions Cup defeat against Toulouse, while England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury with the national squad. Campbell Ridl is out for the remainder of the season following an ACL operation.

There is some encouragement, however. Winger Paul Brown-Bampoe, sidelined with a heel problem, and Italian international Andrea Zambonin, who has been recovering from shoulder surgery, are both closing in on a return to action.