Exeter Chiefs coaches sign new deals

Rob Baxter insists there is a “burning desire” amongst the Exeter Chiefs coaching staff to take the Devon club onto even greater things in the future, after he and his three trusty lieutenants - Ali Hepher, Rob Hunter and Ricky Pellow - all agreed on new three-year deals with the Premiership champions.

Baxter will take on the new title of Director of Rugby for the 2017/18 season, while Hepher has been named the club’s new Head Coach. Both Hunter (Forwards Coach) and Pellow (Skills Coach) will continue in their current roles.

Former player and club captain Baxter took charge of the Chiefs ahead of the 2009/10 season - and immediately brought success to the club, working alongside both Hepher and Pellow, and steering the club to success in the inaugural RFU Championship Play-Off Final.

Since that memorial night at Bristol’s Memorial Stadium, the trio have been heavily involved in helping the Chiefs to forge themselves as genuine force within the English game. Hunter, meanwhile, joined the club in 2013 following a highly successful stint as England Under-20s head coach, working with the likes of Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Sam Hill and Luke Cowan-Dickie.

Together the four coaches have not only raised standards amongst Exeter’s elite playing group, but they have forged a working partnership that has continued to thrive season upon season.