Reshuffle at the Aviva Premiership champions

Rob Baxter has signed a new three-year contract to remain at Exeter Chiefs with the new job title of director of rugby, as Ali Hepher becomes head coach.

Baxter masterminded the Chiefs’ maiden Premiership title triumph this year, having guided the club to the top tier of English rugby for the first time in 2010.

The former Exeter captain has agreed to stay on at Sandy Park, but in a different role, as the Chiefs target more honours.

Hepher steps up to take over as head coach, while Rob Hunter and Ricky Pellow will remain forwards and skills coach respectively – all three putting pen to paper on three-year deals.

BREAKING: @ExeterChiefs coaches all agree new three-year deals with the @premrugby champions – https://t.co/sUKCEVHOZM pic.twitter.com/7rAlEoZl2p

— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) July 12, 2017

Baxter said: “One of the strengths of this coaching team is that we all offer something different to the mix.

“We all want to be successful and we all want to see the players do as well as they can. Where we are different is that we see other things differently at times and can challenge one another if necessary.

“Yes, we have got people who are experts in certain areas, but at the same time we are more than happy to have some pretty lively discussions about things. Anyone who sits near us in the grandstand will often hear them going on during a matchday!

“What I like, though, is that we can have disagreements or heated debates, but when it comes down to it, we all get over it pretty quickly and then get on with it.

“As a group, we all want the same things to happen, so we don’t have a lot of time for guys not seeing the bigger picture or trying to do to things their own way. Instead, we have a burning desire amongst us all to work hard and do the very best we can for one another and for the team.”