Oli Bishop promoted to Chiefs Women’s head coach role

Exeter Chiefs Women have promoted assistant coach Oli Bishop to the role of head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Bishop joined Chiefs as women’s attack and backs coach ahead of last season. He arrived from Trailfinders Women with a wealth of experience having spent nine seasons with Wasps Women before coaching for two further seasons in London.

Bishop immediately settled in the Chiefs environment and in his first season helped to lead Chiefs to a PWR semi-final against Saracens Women.

The club’s CEO Tony Rowe CBE said: “Oli came to the club with years of coaching experience and with a real enthusiasm to contribute to a successful future for our women’s team. In his first season with us, he built solid working relationships with players and staff as he helped to coach the side to a semi-final.

“This is a well-deserved opportunity for Oli, and I am excited to see how he can push the women’s programme forward in the coming seasons.”

The 2026/27 season will mark Bishop’s 13th consecutive year coaching women’s top-flight rugby, making him one of the longest serving coaches in the JAECOO PWR.

In addition to his PWR coaching experience, Bishop has previously developed his skills in school, university, county and sevens environments across England as well as during stints in Ireland and New Zealand.

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “I’m delighted Oli has accepted the role of head coach. I think he’s been a very positive and strong influence on the group over the last season.

“He’s got a lot of experience in the women’s game and has put a lot of time and effort into improving himself as a coach, gaining varied experience both in the domestic and international game. I think people will probably be surprised when they look at the strength of his CV.

“To take this opportunity now to lead a programme, I think is fully deserved for Oli. I fully believe that when people come in, work very hard and commit to something, showing that they’re fully engrossed in the programme as a whole then they’re the right people to promote.

“Oli has a role now to finalise the last bits of recruitment for his squad. I know he’s also been deep in the process of getting pre-season preparation right, so that’s all very well planned.

“I think this is a very positive statement for us in terms of the continuity of our women’s squad and looking at where they can progress to in the future.”

Bishop takes over the lead role of a coaching group which also includes newly recruited assistant coach, Ross Bundy.

Bishop said: "I'm incredibly proud and grateful for the opportunity to lead Exeter Chiefs Women. Last season showed what's possible, both on and off the pitch, but I believe we're only just scratching the surface of what this group can achieve.

“We have a fantastic group of players and staff who are committed to delivering a great product, and I'm excited to build on the foundations we've laid together. Our focus now is on creating an environment where people can thrive, continuing to develop our identity as a team, and competing consistently with the very best in the league."