Premiership Injury Report: Ridl's Season-Ending ACL Tear Headlines Mounting Pre-Season Toll

The physical toll of the Premiership Rugby pre-season is already mounting before the opening weekend, with Exeter Chiefs winger Campbell Ridl ruled out for the 2026-27 campaign due to an ACL tear. The former England under-20 international suffered the significant knee injury ahead of the season, dealing a massive blow to the Chiefs' backline depth just as they prepare to launch their domestic title bid.[1]

Ridl enjoyed an outstanding breakout campaign last season, scoring 17 tries in 21 appearances across all competitions. One of those tries came during the Gallagher Premiership Final defeat to Northampton Saints at Twickenham, cementing his status as one of the brightest young attacking talents in the English game.[1]

Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter confirmed the diagnosis following a scan, noting the severity of the damage. "Campbell Ridl looks like it's going to be a significant knee injury," Baxter told BBC Radio Devon prior to Saturday's 45-21 Premiership Rugby Cup victory over Bristol Bears at Sandy Park.[1]

The casualty list at Sandy Park does not end there. Full-back Tommy Wyatt is also facing a spell on the sidelines to undergo a scan on a shoulder problem. Wyatt had only just returned from back-to-back knee injuries, making his comeback against the Scarlets a mere 10 days prior to the fresh setback, leaving Exeter scrambling to reorganize their back three.[1]

The attrition rate across the league has sparked frustration among coaches, who argue the current cup structure forces players into the red zone too early. Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam has publicly pleaded for a rule change in the Premiership Rugby Cup after losing three players in their opening two games against Gloucester and Exeter.[1]

Bristol lost full-back Noah Heward to a knee injury, prop Max Lahiff to a foot issue, and lock Joe Batley to an ankle problem. Lam revealed that all Premiership directors of rugby are in agreement that 30-man matchday squads should be permitted for the first two rounds of the competition to manage player welfare and early-season loads.[1]

"So ideally, we want games, and if we can't get to 30-man squads, then we're better off having just friendly games," Lam stated. He pointed out that against Gloucester, Bristol lost two backs, forcing scrum-half Harry Randall to stay on the field for the full 80 minutes when he was only scheduled for a 30-minute shift. "You don't want that at this stage of the season," Lam added.[1]

The spike in early-season casualties, particularly shoulder issues, aligns with established medical data. According to London Shoulder Specialists, the transition from pre-season conditioning to full-contact matches creates a massive jump in risk, as shoulders are suddenly subjected to the extreme forces of tackling, rucking, and mauling after months of controlled gym work.[2]

English professional rugby data shows that shoulder injury rates hit 8.9 per 1,000 player-hours in matches, compared to just 0.10 per 1,000 hours in training. Furthermore, damage to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint is the most frequent shoulder injury in elite rugby, accounting for approximately 32 percent of match shoulder injuries in the English professional game.[2]

While the Premiership grapples with its pre-season toll, there is some positive news across the Irish Sea. Munster and Springboks hooker Marnus van der Merwe has returned to full fitness from a calf injury ahead of the United Rugby Championship opener. Van der Merwe, who won his third Springbok cap in a 43-10 win against New Zealand last November, is ready to take his place in the front row against Glasgow Warriors, offering a rare bright spot in a brutal month for rugby fitness.[1]