Ikitau would turn down R360 to play at World Cup

Len Ikitau has agreed a one-season deal at Exeter

Len Ikitau says he would not join the rebel R360 competition if it meant he would miss the chance to play for Australia at the 2027 World Cup.

Ikitau, 27, has just arrived at Exeter from Super Rugby's Brumbies after agreeing a one-season deal with the Prem Rugby side.

The Wallabies centre says his representatives have been approached by R360 about joining the competition, which organisers want to commence next October.

"Being able to play in a Rugby World Cup, but in Australia, I don't think you get the opportunity again," Ikitau told BBC Sport.

"So just having that in the back of my mind, wanting to be able to represent Australia in the 2027 World Cup, is something I want to do."

Earlier this week most of the major rugby unions, including Australia, said they would not pick players for international matches if they opt to join the new breakaway league.

The competition, spearheaded by former England captain Mike Tindall, plans to have 12 franchises across the world - eight men's teams and four women's teams.

The hope is to get the world's best players competing alongside one another in a global tournament.

Rounds would be staged at a different venue across the world, with organisers hoping it will begin next year.

"It looks like it's going to be an exciting competition," added Ikitau, who has just finished playing in the Rugby Championship and is in line to make his Chiefs debut next week against Harlequins.

"To say that if you play in that competition you can't play in the World Cup, you're kind of weighing up your options.

"I feel like a new competition for rugby would be awesome, but being a part of it, who knows?

"I think my manager's been in touch, but I'm here with Exeter, and then I'm back with the Brums next year."

Ikitau is arguably the highest-profile back to join Exeter since Stuart Hogg joined the club in 2019.

He joins a Chiefs side that finished second-from-bottom in the Premiership last season.

But his addition, along with the return to fitness of England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, gives Exeter one of the most exciting back lines in the league with England centre Henry Slade and the highly-rated Paul Brown-Bampoe on the other wing.

"I just wanted a new kind of beginning I guess," Ikitau said of his move to Sandy Park.

"I've been at the Brumbies since 2019 and I'm not getting any younger, so I thought why not now?

"Just being here today the boys have been very welcoming and I'm just looking forward to ripping in.

"Anywhere would have been good for me but I'm lucky that I get to be in such a great position with this club and I'm just looking to put my best foot forward."