Townson joins Chiefs coaching staff

Glen Townson has joined Exeter Chiefs as the men’s assistant forwards coach.

Formerly the academy transition coach with Bristol Bears, the former lock forward makes the move to Chiefs having been in his transition role with Bears since September 2022.

Townson said: “It has been a real ambition of mine to be a Gallagher PREM coach, and to get the chance to do it at the Chiefs, one of the most successful clubs in the last decade, a club with rich history, was an opportunity I had to take.

“I’m hoping to add experience to a strong coaching group and build on the good start to the season.”

The 39-year-old former player was a centurion as a player for Bears before retiring in 2018. Townson also pulled on a shirt for Doncaster Knights, Newcastle Falcons and Ealing Trailfinders before starting his coaching journey as forwards and defence coach with Trailfinders.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “I’m really pleased to have Glen here with us now, fully involved at the club. I was very keen to get him engrossed as soon as possible as, when meeting him, I saw he’s a very switched-on guy with good rugby experience both in the Prem and the Championship.

“He’s already collated a good deal of coaching experience both in academy or transition programmes and in senior set-ups. He adds a layer of knowledge and skill to the coaching group that we think will be really important in the development of our individual players, our young forwards coming through the academy and to the senior group.

“It’s good to have him joining us as, along with the arrival of James Wilson, we’ve now established our full coaching group that hopefully will be successful in the future. The group will also be key in identifying and developing talent which comes through our academy and player pathways.”

Townson will work closely with Chiefs forwards coach Ross McMillan to help shape the Exeter pack, who have already enjoyed a strong start to the season.