Rugby World Cup outsiders hire Exeter legend ahead of tournament return

Former Exeter skills coach Ricky Pellow has been appointed as backs and attack coach of Rugby World Cup outsiders Zimbabwe.

A valued member of Rob Baxter’s coaching team at Exeter for 16 seasons, Pellow’s role with the Sables will run alongside his other working commitments.

“A fantastic opportunity to work alongside some great coaches and an exciting group of players as we prepare for the up and coming camps and Nations Cup fixtures. Really looking forward to being part of what has been a really exciting journey for the group,” he wrote on business networking site, LinkedIn.

The Cornishman is currently director of sport at ambitious National 1 outfit Camborne, having ended his long association with the Chiefs in 2025.

During his time at Sandy Park, the former scrum-half won the Premiership twice as a coach, in 2017 and 2020, the latter alongside an Investec Champions Cup trophy which completed the historic double.

He also took a leading role in the Chiefs’ domestic cup campaigns, winning titles in 2014, 2019 and 2022.

Pellow will be actively involved in the World Rugby Nations Cup when the event resumes next month.

Zimbabwe have two UK-based fixtures, on 7 and 14 November, against Samoa at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield, the home of the current Super League champions, and against Uruguay at Ealing’s Trailfinders ground.

The Sables will then head to Angoulême in France to play Chile on 21 November.

Zimbabwe competed well but lost all three of their Nations Cup matches in July, 36-26 to Tonga, 31-15 to USA and 23-19 to Canada.

The African champions will end a 36-year wait to perform at a Rugby World Cup when they make their third appearance at the tournament, and their first of the pro era, in Australia next year.

Zimbabwe have been drawn in Pool F with England, Wales and Tonga.