Chiefs hopeful of Devoto return in New Year

By Mark Stevens
15/11/22

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, says centre Ollie Devoto remains on course to return to fitness in the New Year.

The 29-year-old has not played a game since the Chiefs defeated Bristol Bears 19-13 at Sandy Park on New Year's Day. Since then, the England international has undergone surgery on both of his hips.

He is, however, progressing well in his rehabilitation and Baxter is hopeful it won't be too long before Devoto is back battling for selection.

"He's on his feet and moving around," said Baxter. "He's in the fixed stages of rehab and he's running around and doing stuff, so really it's now just him getting more and more comfortable with everything."

Devoto has been a key member of some of Exeter's most successful sides, including starting their 2020 Gallagher Premiership final win and being a replacement in the squad that won the Heineken Champions Cup final that year.

Since he joined Exeter from Bath in the summer of 2016 he has played in four Premiership finals. He scored a try in the loss to Harlequins at Twickenham in 2021 and was part of the side that beat Wasps for Exeter's maiden title in 2017.

"It's been a long time," added Baxter. "He was a very good player for us and been a key player in a lot of important seasons for us, and important performances, so it'll be great to have him available.

"We've been going along with some guys and you almost forget we've had them given some of the long-term injuries. That starts to thicken out our options no end. Solomona Kata will be back in the next couple of weeks as well from being away with Tonga."

Devoto is amongst a number of current Chiefs looking to battle their way back to fitness. Others on the sidelines include Stu Townsend, Richard Capstick, Billy Keast, Tom Hendrickson, Ben Moon, Marcus Street and Aidon Davis.