New deals for Rob Baxter and his Exeter Chiefs coaching team

Rob Baxter and his coaching team have agreed new three-year deals with Exeter Chiefs, the Aviva Premiership champions have announced.

Baxter will take on the title of director of rugby for the 2017/18 season, Ali Hepher becomes the club's new head coach, and Hunter and Pellow will continue with their roles as forwards coach and skills coach respectively.

The new deals come just weeks after the quartet led the Chiefs to a first Premiership crown in the side's 146-year history with a thrilling win over Wasps at Twickenham.

Former player and club coach Baxter says there is a "burning desire" amongst the coaching staff to push to drive for greater success and believes the men each bring their own qualities to the set-up at Sandy Park.

"One of the strengths of this coaching team is that we all offer something different to the mix," he said.

"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.

"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 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."