Australia and Brumbies center Len Ikitau has opened the door to a future return to Exeter Chiefs, expressing his deep affection for the club despite an injury-disrupted spell at Sandy Park.

The 27-year-old, widely regarded as one of the world's premier centers, joined Exeter on a one-season deal last autumn before heading home to the Brumbies ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. However, his time in Devon has been far from smooth sailing—a shoulder surgery in December sidelined him for four months, limiting him to just eight appearances and two tries.

"I think looking towards the end of 2027, there's a potential chance of coming back if everything falls into place," Ikitau told BBC Sport. "I've loved my time here and I've really enjoyed it, my family's enjoyed it, and hopefully this isn't the end."

While Exeter navigates a potential takeover by the owners of Premier League side AFC Bournemouth and the Premiership shifts toward a franchise model, Ikitau remains optimistic about his future with the club. He confirmed that talks are ongoing between his representatives and Exeter boss Rob Baxter, though he's taking a patient approach.

"It's just been going on behind the scenes with my manager," Ikitau explained. "Obviously I told him how much I've really enjoyed my time here and that if there was any possibility of coming back, would he look into it. So I guess it's just kind of sitting back and waiting, hoping that everything falls into place."

For now, Ikitau's focus will be on finishing his current stint strong and preparing for the World Cup on home soil. But for Exeter fans, his comments offer a glimmer of hope that one of the game's top talents could one day return to Sandy Park in Chiefs colors.