Chiefs plug coaching gap

England under 20s' attack specialist joins Sandy Park

England U20 attack coach Dave Walder is joining the Exeter Chiefs following the departure of two senior coaches towards the end of a disappointing season.

Ali Hepher and Rob Hunter are no longer at Sandy Park, having mutually agreed to part ways with the Chiefs.

Walder, 46, says he can’t wait to get started.

"I’m looking forward to working with this squad. It’s obviously been a really tough year for them results-wise, but the green shoots of growth are there, so I’m excited to work with the group moving forward," he said.

“It’ll be good to get them playing attacking rugby, scoring some tries and helping to get Chiefs back to where they belong, which is at the top competing for trophies.”

As a player, Walder was a centurion as a player for Newcastle Falcons before returning to become a coach in 2014. He was head coach with Falcons for eight years and more recently was also a part of the Bristol Bears set-up as senior backs and skills coach.

“We’re delighted that Dave has decided to join the club and it’s particularly good news that he’s been able to start immediately to help oversee this weekend’s game,” Chiefs director of rugby, Rob Baxter said.

“I’ve known Dave a long time, and I really appreciate the work he put in for a lengthy period at Newcastle. I thought he did a fantastic job there with relatively limited resources. He always brought out the best in the group that he had working with him.
“More recently, he’s been working with some of our England U20 players, and those guys have only had positive things to say about him.

Walder joins fellow former England U20 coach Haydn Thomas [defence coach] in the Chiefs coaching staff alongside Ross McMillan [assistant forwards coach] and Ricky Pellow [skills and development coach].