Walder takes up Exeter Chiefs coaching role

Dave Walder has been around Sandy Park for the past few weeks

Exeter Chiefs have appointed England Under-20s attack coach Dave Walder as an assistant to the club's coaching staff.

The 46-year-old former Newcastle Falcons boss has been coaching the club's backs in recent weeks following the suspension of previous backs and attack coach Ali Hepher.

Hepher and head coach Rob Hunter were stood down from their roles in the wake of Exeter's club-record 79-17 loss at Gloucester last month.

The pair have both since left the club, with Hepher ending his 16-year spell at Sandy Park on Friday.

Earlier this week, director of rugby Rob Baxter refused to comment on whether Walder was helping the side, despite a photo on the club's social media showing him at a training session.

"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to come down to the Chiefs to work with a really talented group of players as well as a young, dynamic coaching group," Walder told the club website.

"I can't wait to get started; I'm looking forward to working with this squad.

"It's obviously been a really tough year for them results-wise, but the green shoots of growth are there, so I'm excited to work with the group moving forward."

Walder has also spent time as Bristol's backs and skills coach and joins Exeter as the club comes to the end of their worst season in the top flight.

They have won just four Premiership games all season and are guaranteed to finish second from bottom.

Walder will be part of the Exeter coaching team for Sunday's trip to Harlequins.

"I've known Dave a long time, and I really appreciate the work he put in for a lengthy period at Newcastle," Baxter said.

"I thought he did a fantastic job there with relatively limited resources. He always brought out the best in the group that he had working with him.

"More recently, he's been working with some of our England Under-20 players, and those guys have only had positive things to say about him.

"It's fantastic for us to have someone of his experience and capabilities joining us.

"Hopefully he'll take us forward with our attacking game and how we want our backs to play. With him coming on board, we're really looking forward to getting on with the remainder of the season."