Exeter lock Zambonin to miss start of new season

Exeter Chiefs lock Andrea Zambonin will be absent for the start of the 2026-2027 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The 25-year-old Italy international participated in 27 games during his first season at Sandy Park, including Exeter's 26-17 defeat to Northampton in the Premiership final. Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter revealed in a statement on the club's website that Zambonin returned from Italy's summer games with a nagging shoulder issue, which was later found to be serious enough to necessitate surgery.

His recovery timeline suggests he will not be available until after the autumn international block. Meanwhile, fellow lock Dafydd Jenkins, who also had shoulder surgery this summer, is expected to be available for the beginning of the season, potentially missing Wales' summer Nations Championship fixtures. Exeter hooker and club captain Jack Yeandle, who missed the end of the 2025-2026 season due to foot injury surgery, is set to play in pre-season activities, joining Max Norey, another returning hooker.

Exeter's pre-season games commence with a match against Scarlets at Sandy Park on September 5, followed by a Premiership Rugby Cup game at home to Bristol Bears a week later, and a friendly against Cardiff, before the start of the new Premiership season against Gloucester on September 26.