New backs coach for Chiefs Women

Exeter Chiefs Women have recruited a new backs coach as the players return to prepare of the 2024/25 season.

Mike Pope joins Chiefs from the University of Exeter where he is the current rugby performance coach.

A former professional player, Pope was a scrum-half and utility back for Cornish Pirates, making 86 appearances. He also played for Exeter Chiefs in the LV= Cup and for England Students.

Since retiring from playing, Pope has been developing his coaching career. He was the lead coach for the Bath Rugby Developing Player Programme and coached the Dorset & Wiltshire’s U15s, U16s and U20s county sides.

He has worked closely with secondary schools to deliver rugby union in the PE curriculum, including the training of teachers and delivering after-school clubs, while ensuring players transition to local clubs.

Pope was also rugby coach at Bryanston School, director of coaching at Bournemouth RFC and head of rugby at Bournemouth Collegiate School.

He said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Exeter Chiefs and supporting the women’s programme. This will be a new and exciting challenge for me alongside my role at the University of Exeter, and I am immensely grateful for this opportunity.

“I am looking forward to working with such an ambitious group of players and coaches who share a strong desire to win and achieve great things.

“Looking ahead to the upcoming season, anything less than battling for a place in the final would be a disappointment to us all. I can’t wait to get started and contribute to the team’s success.”

Chiefs Women’s head coach Susie Appleby said: “Mike is a current coach who has very recently retired from rugby himself. His work with the men’s and women’s teams at the university gives us great crossover with our squad. He is also hugely aspirational and very driven to help our players become the best they can be.”