Pellow to leave Chiefs after 16 seasons

Ricky Pellow has made the decision to leave the Exeter Chiefs coaching team after 16 seasons to spend more time with his family and explore other career opportunities.

The proud Cornishman joined Chiefs in 2009 as skills coach after retiring from his playing career during which he played scrum-half for Cornish Pirates and Worcester Warriors.

Pellow said: “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.

“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.

“I’d like to thank everyone that I’ve worked with and alongside. Special mention must go to Rob Baxter and Tony Rowe for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this club in the first place and also for supporting me in this decision.”

Pellow has been an integral part of the Chiefs backroom staff, with a key focus on supporting the young scrum-halves emerging through the system.

He has often taken a leading role in Chiefs’ domestic cup campaigns, winning titles in 2014, 2019 and 2022. Pellow also achieved the pinnacle of English sport with two Premiership titles in 2017 and 2020, the latter alongside an Investec Champions Cup trophy which completed the historic double.

Alongside his work with the first team, Pellow has helped coaches and players in the Chiefs academy at Exeter College and Truro College as well as the Super BUCS team, EURFC, at the University of Exeter.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “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.

“I’d like to sincerely wish him the best. He will always be a very important part of what Exeter Chiefs is about. I wish him and his family great success for the future.”

Pellow will coach his last Exeter Chiefs home game against Bristol Bears on Saturday, 22 November in the PREM Rugby Cup.