​Exeter Chiefs Women have announced the appointment of Ross Bundy as an assistant coach, bringing in a specialist focus on forwards and defence to join a squad that remains in the process of appointing a new head coach. Bundy arrives after Steve Salvin departed Exeter earlier this month to assume a coaching role with Wales, leaving the club seeking leadership at the top. Bundy’s arrival marks a strategic addition to a talented group of players as Exeter continues to refine its coaching team for the upcoming season.
Bundy is a coach with a rich and varied background in rugby union, particularly in developing forwards and strengthening defensive systems. He is a former Scotland Under-20 international who has accrued a broad coaching footprint across Europe. His earlier playing days included time with Racing Club Narbonne and Nottingham, experiences that helped shape his understanding of the forwards pack and the tactical demands of the modern game. Bundy’s coaching journey began in the Netherlands, where he started gaining coaching credentials before moving to Edinburgh, taking on an assistant role with the city’s women’s side. His career progressed as he joined Leicester, where he held the position of head coach in April of the previous year, affording him leadership experience at the top level of the club game.
Exeter’s leadership team is confident that Bundy will bring a wealth of practical knowledge to the Chiefs Women. Tony Rowe, the Exeter chief executive, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment and highlighted the benefits Bundy is expected to deliver beyond the training field. “We look forward to seeing what Ross can contribute with our talented group of players here,” Rowe said in a club statement published on the official Exeter Chiefs Women website. The chief executive emphasized that Bundy’s role will extend beyond forwards coaching; he will also contribute to recruitment strategies and leadership development, capabilities associated with a head coach, thereby strengthening the overall direction of the squad as they prepare for the new season.
The decision to appoint Bundy comes at a time of transition for Exeter Chiefs Women. The club ended the previous season with a strong third-place finish in the Premier 15s table, showcasing their competitiveness and potential within English women’s rugby. However, they bowed out of the play-off picture in a dramatic fashion, losing to Saracens in a tightly contested semi-final. The season’s outcome underscored the need for continued strategic enhancements across coaching, player development, and squad depth as Exeter looks to challenge for the top honours in the upcoming campaign.
In contrast, Leicester Tigers Women faced a difficult term, finishing bottom of the Premier 15s after a winless run across all 16 of their league games. Bundy’s experience in a challenging environment at Leicester, where he dedicated time to building a robust game plan and developing players, will be instrumental in shaping his approach with Exeter. His track record suggests a capacity to adapt to different team cultures and to implement effective forward play and defensive structures, both of which are crucial for teams aiming to climb the table and contest for play-off spots.
As Bundy integrates into Exeter Chiefs Women, the club will be hoping his forward-focused expertise and defensive discipline translate into tangible improvements on the field. Exeter’s coaching team will benefit from Bundy’s insights into player recruitment, development pathways, and leadership dynamics, all of which are essential for sustaining success across a demanding season. With Bundy’s appointment, Exeter strengthens its strategic vision for the squad, aligning coaching leadership with the ambition of competing at the highest level in women’s rugby.
Fans and supporters will be watching closely to see how Bundy’s influence augments the Chiefs Women’s style of play. The club’s forward units are expected to benefit from his specialized focus, potentially leading to stronger ball retention, more dominant set-piece performances, and a more resilient defensive line. Coupled with ongoing plans for head coach recruitment, Bundy’s arrival signals a proactive approach by Exeter to build a cohesive, competitive, and resilient team capable of challenging the best sides in the Premiership and in national competitions.
As the new coaching arrangements take shape, Exeter Chiefs Women’s emphasis remains on nurturing homegrown talent, integrating experienced leadership, and maintaining high standards of performance and professionalism. Bundy’s role as an assistant coach complements the broader objective of delivering consistent results while developing players to reach their full potential. The Premier 15s season looms, and Exeter’s strategic investments in coaching resources, including Bundy’s appointment, position the club well to pursue success on multiple fronts, from regular-season consistency to peak performances in knockout fixtures.
In summary, Exeter Chiefs Women have appointed Ross Bundy as an assistant coach, adding a formidable forwards and defence specialist to bolster a squad that is navigating leadership changes at the top. Bundy’s extensive coaching background, which spans multiple rugby nations and levels of the game, is expected to bring valuable perspectives on recruitment, leadership, and player development. Exeter’s leadership team, led by chief executive Tony Rowe, expressed confidence that Bundy will contribute significantly to the team’s ambitions, helping to shape a competitive and resilient Chiefs Women side as they prepare for a new season in the Premier 15s.