Australia's Hooper open to extending Exeter stay

Tom Hooper has played eight Prem games and three matches in the European Challenge Cup this season Australia flanker Tom Hooper says he would extend his time at Exeter if he continues to grow as a player. The 25-year-old agreed a move to Sandy Park on a two-year deal last year, having been a key part of the Wallabies side in the Rugby Championship and featuring against the British & Irish Lions. Hooper impressed in the Prem win over Sale on Saturday as he returned from a two-month lay-off following a knee injury.

"I'm loving my rugby here," Hooper said. "I didn't just come over here for one reason, I came over here because a few of the stars really aligned for me. "It was that time where I'd kind of hit my ceiling in Australia, I needed a new challenge.

"But if I'm over here and I still feel like I'm being challenged as an athlete and as a person and I'm still growing in those areas, then this is the best place for me. "So if I see that this environment is indicative of that then I'll definitely be staying in Devon because that's what's best for me. " With a home World Cup coming up for Australia later in 2026, Hooper knows he must perform well in Europe if he is to make the Wallabies squad.

While Australia are happy to pick overseas players, they will give priority to home-based options if there is little to choose between the options. Hooper says the improvements he is making in Europe and his ambitions to make the World Cup are driving him in his first season in the northern hemisphere. "When I came over here I knew full well there was a possibility I wasn't going to be playing for the Wallabies any more," he said.