Exeter confirm arrival of former PREM winner to coaching team

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed that former Northampton Saints and Bath star James Wilson has linked up with Rob Baxter’s coaching staff, as exclusively revealed by RugbyPass on Tuesday afternoon.

Invercargill-born Wilson, who has been coaching Southland, where had two spells as a player before retiring in 2021 following a season with Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars in Japan.

He replaces skills coach Ricky Pellow, 47, who was the fourth coach to leave Sandy Park in just over a year after their recent PREM Rugby Cup clash with Bristol Bears, having spent 16 years as part of Rob Baxter’s backroom team.

“When Ricky announced he wanted to explore other coaching avenues, it left us a little light on the coaching staff. And we let it be known we wanted someone whose speciality was backs play and skills development.

“James fitted the bill perfectly. His CV is pretty impressive for a young coach. He has had good PREM experience playing for Bath and Northampton. So he knows the PREM and knows what it’s about.

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“He has experienced success coaching Southland in New Zealand and worked in and around skills, transition and kicker development.

“He has added to the skill set in the coaching group, in that Dave (Walder) was a half-back, but he has been a back-three player. So he adds a depth to us from a coaching perspective that we haven’t had before.

“So he is in now and has settled in very quickly, and hopefully we will see good things from him in the future. He will broaden our horizons across the rugby world,” said Baxter.

Wilson admits that he is delighted to be returning to the Gallagher PREM, where he played 120 games for Saints and Bath, jumping at the chance when Baxter offered him a job.

“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,” said Wilson.