Lenny ‘Flickitau’ set for English deal - and the other Wallabies stars eyeing sabbaticals in 2026

Star centre Len Ikitau is close to recommitting to Australian rugby on a long-term contract but with a sabbatical season in England factored into the deal - and he could be among a larger cohort of Wallabies stars who’ll also skip Super Rugby next year to play offshore.

Ikitau is one of the big-name players coming off contract at the end of 2025 and in negotiations with Rugby Australia, along with fellow Wallabies Fraser McReight, Noah Lolesio, Nick Frost, Tom Wright, Jake Gordon and Taniela Tupou.

RA last week announced the re-signing of Wallabies captain Harry Wilson for another four years, and locked down Jeremy Williams two weeks before that. Frost and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are also close to inking new deals.

But after contract talks were paused at the end of last year, and a general reduction in Wallabies’ contract offers since - caused in part by Joseph Aukuso Suaalii’s $1.6m-a-year deal - there have been concerns some Wallabies may be lost to overseas raiders ahead the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Ikitau was high on that danger list, with interest in the Brumbies and Wallabies centre skyrocketing after he pulled off the flick-pass for Max Jorgensen’s match-winning try against England at Twickenham, and a standout game against Wales a week later.

But multiple sources with knowledge of negotiations, who requested anonymity to speak freely, said Ikitau is close to re-signing with Rugby Australia and the Brumbies, but on a “flexible contract” that will also see him join English club Exeter on a nine-month deal at the end of the year.

Len Ikitau produces the no-look flick pass that set Max Jorgensen free to score.Credit: Getty Images

Ikitau would be free to play for the Wallabies for three games during this year’s spring tour. But he would then play in the Premiership over Christmas and in the first half of 2026, before returning for the Wallabies’ Test season in June. Ikitau also reportedly has the option to stay at Exeter for another year.

Ikitau may not be the only Wallaby star taking a sabbatical season offshore in 2026.

Flanker Rob Valetini, prop Angus Bell and halfback Tate McDermott also have options in their contracts to skip Super Rugby in 2026.

Sources with knowledge of the market said Valetini and Bell, at least, have suitors in Japan’s League One competition and are likely to exercise the option.

While the absence of four major Australian stars for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season is a blow to the competition’s marketability and integrity, Rugby Australia - and even New Zealand rugby - have been increasingly open to striking deals with sabbaticals inserted, for several reasons.

Len Ikitau scores during the big victory over Wales.Credit: AP

They are seen as a way to ensure a player is not lost entirely to foreign clubs offering superior money, and can allow players to earn extra money to make up the shortfall. The financially-troubled RA also get the player’s salary off their books for six months, which can free up more cash in the contracting budget for others. That budget has been constricted by the salary being paid to Suaalii and a general push to tame player wage inflation.

Flexible contracting was first approved by the ARU board in 2014, when then-chief executive Bill Pulver said “We’ve recognised that in the context of an increasingly global market for rugby players that we need to take a more flexible approach to player contracting. We’re creating a platform for our players to experience what rugby has to offer in Australia and abroad, all while maintaining their allegiance to Australian rugby over a long-term period.”

David Pocock signed a three-year deal in 2016 that saw him take a sabbatical in 2017, where he travelled and played in Japan, before playing for ACT and the Wallabies in 2018 and 2019. And Michael Hooper later skipped a Waratahs season to play for Toyota Verblitz in 2021.

Australia’s Rob Valetini, left, runs with the ball against IrelandCredit: AP

Even NZR have been forced into agreeing to sabbatical deals to keep their biggest stars, with Ardie Savea, Beauden Barret and Brodie Rettalick all having done a season in Japan while on contract.

Jordie Barrett is currently doing a mid-contract season at Leinster, in Ireland - which is a more uncommon way for sabbaticals to be organised and is closest to how Ikitau’s prospective deal in England would work.

Barrett joined Leinster after the All Blacks’ spring tour and will return to New Zealand in June, after the URC season ends.

The UK/European route carries more risk as far as player burnout goes, with a player effectively playing for two years straight, and the NZR and Leinster are believed to be in close contact about Barrett’s workload; which is eased somewhat by the size of the Irish province’s top squad.

The Japanese season runs at the same time as Super Rugby and is far less onerous. A high-minute workhorse like Valetini would likely even benefit from a sabbatical in Japan.