Long-serving Exeter coach Pellow to step down

Ricky Pellow had been with Exeter since they were in the Championship

Long-serving Exeter Chiefs coach Ricky Pellow is to leave the club next month.

The former Bath, Worcester and Cornish Pirates scrum-half had been part of the Exeter coaching team for 16 years.

Pellow joined as skills coach when Rob Baxter was appointed, first as head coach, in 2009 and took charge of the Exeter teams that won Premiership Rugby Cups in 2014, 2019 and 2022.

It leaves Baxter as the final member of the coaching group that helped Exeter to win promotion to the Premiership in 2010 before going on to win two Premiership titles and the 2020 European Champions Cup.

Pellow's departure comes in a year that has seen major coaching upheaval at Exeter following their worst-ever Premiership season where they finished second-from-bottom.

Fellow long-serving coaches Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher left the first team set up in the wake of their club-record 79-17 loss at Gloucester in April.

"I've had 16 amazing years here at the club, so it's an emotional decision to leave but it is one that enables me and my family to experience a new adventure," Pellow told the club website.

"I've made some unbelievable memories as a Chief. Being Cornish, I'm very family-orientated and Chiefs really has been another family to me, so it's not just the players and the staff that I'll miss but the supporters too. We've always been in it together.

"Working so closely with some great men in the playing and coaching group has really helped to shape me as a person. I'll look back on so many moments and cherish them."

Rob Hunter (left), Pellow and Ali Hepher have all left the club this year having helped Exeter reach the pinnacle of European rugby

Pellow's final game will be Exeter's Prem Rugby Cup match against Bristol Bears at Sandy Park on 22 November.

Exeter director of rugby Baxter added: "I feel very privileged to have known Ricky, both as a person and a colleague, for as long as I have.

"He's had a long association with Chiefs and through that, has had a fantastic impact on our academy too.

"I remember the days of him travelling up from Cornwall with boys that became stars for us, like Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jack Nowell.

"He was so important to their development and the progress of several of our young players, as well as focusing on the skills development of our senior group.

"He's led several successful cup campaigns, having a fantastic impact on the players in those teams.

"I'll be disappointed to see him leave but I fully respect his decision to look for other challenges. It's good timing for him with a young family, as he's keen to explore other opportunities in sport."