Exeter Chiefs coaching merry-go-round continues as New Zealander joins Rob Baxter’s staff
Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter and an inset of James Wilson.
Exeter Chiefs have further bolstered their coaching ranks, with former Northampton Saints and Bath back James Wilson joining Rob Baxter’s staff at Sandy Park.
His arrival in the South West follows the departure of long-term skills coach Ricky Pellow, who left the club after last month’s PREM Rugby Cup fixtures.
Wilson also begins his role with immediate effect, ahead of Exeter’s Challenge Cup clash with Top 14 heavyweights Racing 92.
James Wilson bolsters Exeter Chiefs coaching staff
Since hanging up his boots, Wilson headed back to his native New Zealand and took up the post of attack coach at Southland Stags.
Commenting on the addition of Wilson, Baxter said: “We’re really pleased to be announcing James. We wanted to move pretty quickly to add to the coaching staff when we knew that Ricky Pellow would be departing. We wanted to bring in somebody whose initial role would be to take over a lot of Ricky’s responsibilities around skills coaching, backs coaching and working alongside our senior academy group.
“James has got a lot of experience coaching in New Zealand, so we’re expecting him to have a fair bit of input into the senior group as well, right from the start as he’ll have full matchday involvement with our senior side.
“He’s got a wealth of PREM experience with both Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby, so he knows the competition well having played in both Europe and the Prem. We’ve been very impressed with his CV and the coaching he’s done in New Zealand.
“All in all, we think it’s a really good signing for us. He’s got a great skillset and is someone we think can really add to the coaching group, particularly with him being a former back-three player as that’s an area that we haven’t got a coach with experience in as both Dave [Walder] and Haydn [Thomas] were half-backs.
“James has come over from New Zealand and come straight in to work with us just a couple of days on from his arrival. We’re delighted to have him and we hope he can have a big impact for us.”
Also commenting, Wilson added: “Coming back to the PREM was a massive draw for me. I was once a player here and I’ve always wanted to come back to coach in the UK. So, when this opportunity came up, I had to jump at it.
“Rob [Baxter] liked the fact I had experience working with guys coming through the academy and transitioning into the first team. I really enjoy working with young players, helping them to develop and get them into regular games.
“I’d like to get to know as much about the players as possible and ensure that they’re able to trust me and know that whatever I show them, they can take it on and build from it.”
READ MORE: Readers’ Team of the Year: Don’t agree with World Rugby’s Dream XV backline? Cast your vote!
