Chiefs pay tribute to Robin Cowling following his passing

Exeter Chiefs are paying tribute to former coach and team manager Robin Cowling following the sad news of his passing over the weekend.

The former prop, who was a farmer by trade, joined Chiefs in 1998 as forwards coach. He had a talent for spotting and cultivating young, promising forwards. In the late 2000s, he agreed to join Rob Baxter’s coaching set-up as scrum coach and team manager, contributing to Chiefs’ historic promotion year and early Premiership campaigns.

The club’s CEO Tony Rowe CBE said: “This was incredibly sad news to receive. Robin was a lovely man who dedicated so much of his time and energy to helping us progress from an amateur club to a fully professional club. I have countless fond memories of his time here with us at Chiefs. My thoughts are with his family.”

The 82-year-old was influential in the careers of countless Chiefs players in his role of talent scout as he also played a crucial role in the academy pathway, most notably at Truro College.

Cowling’s passion for the game and creating opportunities for young players was never more evident than when he would make numerous Penzance to Exeter trips each week with a car full of players, ensuring they didn’t miss out on the chance to train with Chiefs. His influence reflects in the careers of the likes of Neil Clarke, Jason Hobson, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell, Ben Moon and Jack Yeandle.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter added: “I cannot express enough how much Robin contributed to the success we have had as a club and to the success some young players, in particular those from Cornwall, have had because of his absolute determination to get the best out of people.

“My first experience with Robin was when he would bring young players up from Cornwall to train with the senior group. The amount of time he was prepared to invest in them to give them an opportunity to become professional players was admirable. Several of those players went on to become internationals and even British and Irish Lions. I have been receiving messages for several days from players who know he changed their lives, there really can be no bigger compliment than that.

“Personally, Robin and I had a great relationship. He was a no-nonsense type of man who appreciated hard work and sacrifice to the important things. He played a huge part in my transition into the head role at the club.

“I was very fortunate to work with him for several years and we had some great moments. Achieving promotion to the Premiership and then beating one of his old clubs in our first fixture are just two highlights, but there are also our early trips to France in the European competitions which will always stand out to me.

“He is a great loss to the rugby community, particularly to Cornwall and he will be greatly missed by us all.”

During his near two-decade playing career, Cowling won eight caps for England, won a County Championship Final with Gloucester, three John Player Cup Finals with Leicester and represented the Barbarians.

Everyone at Chiefs extends their deepest sympathies to Robin’s family and friends.