Painter to make return from injury against the Navy

Tighthead prop Ehren Painter will make his return from an ACL knee injury for Wednesday night’s game against the Navy.

Painter suffered the injury during a training session in December 2024. He has been under the care of Chiefs’ medical and rehabilitation team ever since to get him back to match fitness for this week.

He said: “I’m very excited about making my return on Wednesday night against the Navy after being out for 15 months. Getting the chance to wear the Chiefs shirt again will be a great moment for me as it was never a guarantee. I hope to go out there and not look too rusty but really enjoy playing again and hope it will kick-start having a good end to the season with the lads.”

The friendly will see players from across the Chiefs squad take part alongside players from the Academy and other clubs in Devon.

Oscar Beckerlegg, Kian Gentry, Orson James, Martin Moloney, Max Norey and Lewis Pearson will all feature from the first team squad.

Exeter Chiefs Academy will provide twins Jack and Will McIntosh from Exeter College alongside Troy Jackson, Alfie Johns. Will Lane, Oisin Smith and Mawgan Talling. Brandon Mua will also feature for Truro College.

University of Exeter’s Alex Brennan and Libhongo Siviwe Mazwanna will also feature alongside a guest appearance from Taunton’s James Burgoyne.

Exeter Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We’re really looking forward to Wednesday. They have always been really good, competitive fixtures against the Navy. We’ve also had some competitive training sessions against them in recent seasons, so we’re delighted we can help the Navy with their preparations as they move towards their big games later in the season.

“It’s a good chance for us to look at some of our best young Academy talent and also a great opportunity for some of our returning players from injury and a couple of squad guys who haven’t had a lot of rugby recently to get some time.

“One noticeable returning player will be Ehren Painter. He had a very serious knee injury. For a big man, he has done very well to get back as well as he has done. He is now fighting fit and after two or three weeks’ training under his belt, everyone is really looking forward to seeing him back on the field getting some valuable game-time against the Navy.”

Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for U18s and are available here.