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.”
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EXETER'S FIVE SIGNINGS FOR NEXT SEASON
#1. Will Haydon-Wood
Heading to Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 season is former Newcastle Falcons and Wasps fly-half, Will Haydon-Wood, who will join the Gallagher Premiership club from French Pro D2 side, Massy Esonne.
The 22-year-old playmaker is no strange to English rugby’s top-flight and his addition is another boost for the Chiefs, who have already confirmed the arrivals of Joe Hawkins and Ethan Roots from the Ospreys.
“It’s a really exciting move for me,” said the former England Under-20s international. “Obviously, I’ve come up against the Chiefs in the past and I know how much of a force they have become, not just within the English game, but also across Europe as well.
“Talking with Rob [Baxter] he’s outlined the vision of the club and how they are in the process of building a new and exciting, young squad. Listening to what he had to say and with the players they have at the club, it was a pretty easy decision in the end.”
Having started this season at Wasps following a number of years at the Falcons, Haydon-Wood was forced to look for new employment last October when the Midlands club were forced to withdraw from all competitions following the collapse of the former English and European champions.
#2. Ethan Root
The 25-year-old forward is Rob Baxter’s latest addition to his squad for the 2023/24 season and will join from United Rugby Championship outfit, Ospreys Rugby, this summer.
The all-action, back-rower joined the Welsh region in March 2021 from the Crusaders and has since gone on to establish himself as a physical on-field force.
The arrival of Roots will come some way to helping fill the void left by the departing Dave Ewers and Sam Simmonds, two men the newcomer admitted he has high praise for.
“Everyone knows there are some big names leaving the club, but for me that is part of the challenge, I want to try and help fill those big shoes,” said Roots.
“It’s an exciting move for me and my family and I’m looking forward to having a crack at the Premiership for the first time. Chatting with Rob, he outlined the vision for the future of the club and how he wants us as players to lay the foundations for the years to come.
“As I said, I like a challenge and I like the thought of us being underdogs with a real point to prove. Exeter are an established club, one with great history and tradition, and for me it’s a great move for me at this time in my career.”
#3. Ross Vintcent
The dynamic, young back-row forward has come into the Chiefs set-up through the club's close links with the University of Exeter, where Vintcent has established himself as a key figure in Keith Fleming's first-team plans.
South-African born, Vintcent was named in the Italian Rugby Federation Academy for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons and was also part of the Zebre squad, making his debut for the club in the re-arranged Round 12 United Rugby Championship encounter with Cardiff Rugby in May 2022. He would feature twice more that season - against Treviso and Connacht - before making the move to Exeter.
Linking up with the Chiefs, it was clear to see the talents of the all-action flanker, who made his debut for the club in the Premiership Rugby Cup clash away to Bristol Bears in September 2022.
#4. Joe Hawkins
he highly-rated Welsh international is Rob Baxter’s first major signing ahead of the 2023/24 season and arrives in Devon on a long-term deal.
His signing, however, is somewhat of a coup for the Chiefs and Baxter, who is quietly assembling a gifted and talented young squad to take the club forward for years to come.
“I’m really excited about the move,” said Hawkins. “It’s a new challenge for me and something a bit different, especially moving away from my home region, who I will always be thankful to for giving me the playing opportunities that I've had up until now. That said, it does feel a home away from home, especially with all the Welsh boys that are down there already.”
Indeed, the 20-year-old back already has a glut of familiar faces to welcome him to the club, having played previously with the likes of Oli Burrows, Dafydd Jenkins, Dan John and Christ Tshiunza at age group levels.
“I know a few of the boys already, which will definitely help the settling in process,” added Hawkins. “I’ve spoken to a few of them and they’ve told me plenty of good things about the club and the culture that exists down there.
“Also, chatting with Rob and Ali [Hepher], I liked what they had to say about how they want to play and how they want to create a new team capable of challenging at the very top. That really appealed to me, I wanted to be part of it, and I wanted to be there at the start of this journey.
“Over the years the Chiefs have been known for bringing through youngsters and giving them their chance on the biggest stages. I want to be part of that and I want to try and take the club onwards and upwards.”
#5. Eoin O’Connor
The 22-year-old forward is Rob Baxter’s latest new addition to the playing ranks at Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Highly-rated back in his native Ireland, O’Connor is certainly a formidable force, standing at 6ft 7ins and topping the scales at 17 stone, and heads to Devon having played for the province in both the United Rugby Championship, as well as the Heineken Champions Cup.
“It’s a great opportunity for me, especially with the squad we have here,” said the Waterford-born lock. “It’s a young squad, but having chatted with Rob [Baxter] he outlined the vision of the club moving forward and I was very excited by that.
“I’ve had four incredible years at Munster, coming straight out of school into their Academy, and learnt so much from the coaches and players like Tadhg Beirne, RG Snyman and Fineen Wycherley. Others too like Craig Casey and Peter O’Mahony, they were brilliant in terms of my development and for getting advice off.”
However, the chance to test himself in a new environment and a new league across the Irish Sea was something that clearly appealed to O’Connor.
“I wouldn’t say I know too much about the Premiership,” he added. “Obviously, we’ve faced English teams in Europe, including the Chiefs, so you get to know a little about them, but I’m looking forward to going to the different grounds, playing different teams and learning more about their rivalries.
“Having Saracens first up, you want to test yourselves against the big boys early on and there are no bigger than them.”
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