Harris thankful to be back on the pitch

It has been a testing 23 months for summer signing Sam Harris. Back-to-back injuries kept the full-back from the game he loves, so he was thankful to return to the field last weekend, scoring a try on his first outing in the Gallagher PREM as an Exeter Chief.

In the space of two years, the 23-year-old suffered a serious ankle injury followed almost immediately by a lengthy lay-off with an ACL tear. He signed for Chiefs in March 2026 and, following an injury-free pre-season, made his return in this season’s opening cup match.

Last weekend marked a new hurdle – his first return to league action since October 2024.

Harris said: “It had been about 22 or 23 months and just getting on the pitch felt a little surreal. It was unreal to be back doing what I loved. The opportunity to be back on the pitch also offered me a moment of reflection. It was a special moment not just for me but for everyone that’s helped me behind the scenes: my family, my girlfriend, and all the people who helped me rehab.”

While injuries can be an expected part of a sportsman’s career, every individual player deals with the emotions and physical repercussions of a serious injury differently. Did Harris learn anything about himself in the process of recovery?

He explained: “It taught me not to take for granted just being fit and healthy, able to walk. There were a few months where I couldn’t walk, and it was quite a dark time to be honest with you. I’d like to think I’ve gotten a bit more resilient from the experience, but I don’t know if I have. You learn a lot just by going through the whole recovery process.”

Discussion of injury crises aside, Harris is a very jovial player. He’s settled into life as a Chief seamlessly, already neighbours with fellow back-three player Paul Brown-Bampoe. Having been a resident of The Recreation Ground since his graduation from the University of Bath, the Hertfordshire-born back is happy with his decision to switch the cobbles of Bath for the beaches of Devon.

Harris said: “I’d been at Bath for four years and I think, after my injury especially, I felt a change of scenery would be quite a nice fresh start for me. And that’s exactly what it’s been.

“I didn’t know that many lads before coming down. I came in with Will Butt from Bath but other than Greg [Fisilau] and Archie [McArthur], I didn’t know anyone. So, coming in and getting to know them all, I’ve really enjoyed it all! They’re a great group.

“A big standout would be Jimmy Roots. He’s such a character amongst the team, always chirping away and he’s happy to get a nibble out of me!”

Harris spends most of his time working closely with attack coach Dave Walder and skills coach James Wilson to develop his game alongside his fellow back-three players, the likes of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Wyatt. How does he think that close-knit group is developing together at this early stage of the season?

He said: “You’ve got the experience of a veteran like Olly Woodburn, fantastic in the air – ‘the eagle’ – in amongst us as well. Being in a group with all of them, you learn about positioning and can have great chats all centred around building connections off a field so that when you take to the field, you’re more efficient.”

The competition for starting berths is slightly skewed currently as Chiefs deal with significant backline injuries, but it provides Harris with a chance to test himself to prove to both coaches and himself that he’s ready for consistent top-flight game-time again.

Harris added: “There are probably two types of full-back. There’s those that gravitate more to the outer channels, the wing. Whereas, I’d say after playing fly-half for the first three years of my career, I feel I more naturally gravitate towards the second receiver role.

“Does that set me apart? Not by itself, but it’s something that I do try to create opportunities for in the game.”

Harris starts at full-back with Tommy Wyatt and Zack Wimbush joining him in the back-three against French juggernauts Stade Toulousain this Sunday afternoon. You can follow the match live in our match centre here.