McMillan joins Chiefs coaching staff

By Mark Stevens
20/7/23

Ross McMillan is ready to embark on an ‘exciting’ new chapter in his career after joining the Exeter Chiefs coaching staff ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Part and parcel of London Irish’s coaching team from 2019 until their demise earlier this year, the former front-row forward is set to add his wealth of experience and knowledge to the Chiefs’ brains trust.

And it is an opportunity McMillan, who lists Gloucester, Northampton Saints, Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers among his former clubs, is keen to take on with the upcoming season just weeks away.

“I’m very happy to be here,” said the 36-year-old, who will take on the role of Assistant Forwards coach. “I’ve been here a couple of weeks now and, hopefully, I’ve created a bit of a tidal wave and started to have an effect on a few people.

“My aim coming in was not just to make my own mark, which I hope to do, but I want to learn from those around me. Anyone who knows rugby knows how well the Chiefs have done over the years. The success they’ve had doesn’t just happen, it comes from people and players working incredibly hard.

“For me, this is an exciting next chapter in terms of my career. I enjoyed my time at Irish and I will forever be grateful to the coaches, the players’ and the staff there. Unfortunately, the situation happened as it did, but coming into this new environment, I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

McMillan joins a Chiefs set-up which, following the departure of a number of long-serving stars over the summer, is itself looking to create a new dynasty of talent from which they hope to prosper.

“When I sat down with Rob [Baxter] he outlined a vision of how he saw the future and already I can see that being portrayed within the group,” added McMillan. “Whenever you look to change, you do a bit of homework and that’s what I did ahead of coming here.

“When I looked at the squad, the people, the tools as it were, it did excite me. There are guys here who have a lot of quality about them and I felt I wanted to be part of that. I want to add real value to the mix, but equally I want to be like a sponge at times and add things from those around me.

“You talk about the players that have moved on, they created a real legacy as a group and were rightly legends of this club. Now, I want to be part of that set-up that creates that next group and be at the beginning of what I believe can be another very special journey.”

Part and parcel of McMillan’s role will be to combine closely with forwards coach Rob Hunter on not only improving areas around the set-piece, but also working heavily on the development of players.

“We’re delighted to have Ross on board,” said Baxter, the Chiefs’ Director of Rugby. “I’ve watched London Irish’s pack thrive and grow over the last few years and Ross has played a big part in that. The quality of their set-piece, around scrum and line-out, plus the increase in how players have developed, they were all things that really stood out for me.

“That’s why I wanted to invest in Ross and bring him in. Already I’m seeing the impact he is having within the group and I’ve no doubt we will reap our rewards, both in terms of improvement in our games, but also in the development of our players.

“Having him work alongside Rob Hunter, who was involved in the whole interview process, I want them to work as a real combo. It’s no secret that our set-piece hasn’t been where we would have liked it to be over the last few years, but by making this move to bring Ross in, I can see it getting back to where we want it to be.”