Zambonin to miss start of Exeter's 2026-27 season after shoulder surgery
Exeter Chiefs will begin the new Premiership campaign without one of their standout forwards after Italy lock Andrea Zambonin underwent shoulder surgery that rules him out until late autumn.
The 25-year-old returned from Italy's summer Nations Championship fixtures with a shoulder problem that, on assessment, required an operation. Director of rugby Rob Baxter confirmed the recovery timescale means Zambonin will not be available until after the autumn international window — the November period when Test sides gather and club rugby pauses. (BBC Sport)
It is a significant early-season absence. Zambonin played 27 games in his debut campaign at Sandy Park after arriving from Italian rugby, establishing himself as a central figure in the Chiefs pack. That season ended in disappointment, a 26-17 Premiership final defeat to Northampton, but his individual contribution was considerable.
The news comes as Exeter's forward depth faces a broader test. Lock Dafydd Jenkins also had shoulder surgery this summer and missed Wales' Nations Championship fixtures, though he could be available for the start of the season. Club captain and hooker Jack Yeandle, who sat out the end of 2025-26 with a foot injury, is set to return for pre-season alongside hooker Max Norey. (BBC Sport)
Devon Live corroborated the club's announcement, reporting that Zambonin is expected to miss the first couple of months of the 2026-27 campaign. (Devon Live)
Exeter's pre-season begins with Scarlets visiting Sandy Park on 5 September, followed by a Prem Rugby Cup match at home to Bristol Bears a week later. A friendly against Cardiff rounds off preparations before the Premiership season opens against Gloucester on 26 September. (BBC Sport)
For Baxter, the challenge is managing a lock rotation without two internationals for the opening weeks. Jenkins' potential availability softens the blow, but Zambonin's absence through September and October — a stretch that includes the first block of Premiership fixtures — leaves Exeter lean in the engine room of the scrum and lineout (the set-piece throw-in from the touchline).
Shoulder injuries have been a recurring theme in the Chiefs squad. Back-rower Ross Vintcent, 23, spent five months rehabbing after surgery on a dislocated shoulder earlier in 2026 before returning to action. (Exeter Chiefs)
The broader picture for Exeter is one of rebuilding momentum after falling just short at Twickenham. Losing a 27-game lock for the season's opening months is not the start Baxter would have chosen.
