Mumm to leave the Chiefs

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs can confirm tonight that skipper Dean Mumm is to return home to Australia at the end of the current season.

The 31-year-old - who is to rejoin former club the NSW Waratahs on a one-year deal - is hoping his return to Sydney will help him earn a recall to the Wallabies squad ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup in England.

Signed by head coach Rob Baxter in 2012, the Auckland-born forward has been an inspired capture ever since he arrived at Sandy Park and his departure will certainly be belt, both on and off the field, here in Devon.

With 33 international caps already to his name, the Australian Rugby Union have closely monitored the form of Mumm since his arrival at the Chiefs - and having lost the likes of Kane Douglas, Sitaleki Timani and Ben Mowen in recent times - his arrival back home could help to alleviate those losses.

Just two years ago, Mumm underlined his appetite for international rugby when he featured in a star-studded Barbarians squad that faced the British & Irish Lions in Hong Kong.

Since then, his on-field leadership has continued to flourish for the Chiefs and last season he lifted the club’s first major silverware when they defeated Northampton Saints 15-8 in the LV= Cup final.

To date Mumm has amassed 63 appearances in total for the club, scoring 12 tries in the process. However, he is sure to add to those tallies before the end of the season as the Chiefs push on both in the Aviva Premiership and the European Challenge Cup.

New South Wales Waratahs’ chief executive, Greg Harris, told the club’s official website: “We’re absolutely delighted that Dean will be coming back to the Waratahs. To have a player of his experience and reputation will be a great asset for the team.

“Dean has had a very successful career, both previously at the Waratahs and during his stint with Exeter Chiefs, and we’re very fortunate to be able to have someone with his playing experience and leadership skills back at the club.

“It is also an important reversal of the current trend of Australian players going overseas to pursue their careers”.

Meanwhile, Chiefs' officials and Mumm are expected to comment more on the situation later this week.