Mouneimne successor announced as South African exits Exeter

NEWS: Former Chiefs scrumhalf Haydn Thomas will replace Omar Mouneimne as defence coach of Exeter after his axing following their poor form in the Premiership.

Exeter announced that Mouneimne would leave the club with immediate effect by mutual consent.

The Chiefs’ coaching staff have been under fire after losing their first six games of the new campaign to sit ninth in the Premiership table with a third of the league season already complete.

A disjointed defensive display last weekend in the 19-36 defeat to Harlequins has proven to be the last straw for Mouneimne and his aggressive rush defence.

The well-traveled South African has a long list of teams he has been involved in and he has moved around a lot since his early days with the Stormers back in 2008.

Teams he helped coach include Western Province, Italy, Southern Kings, Edinburgh, Sharks, Warriors, Pumas (South Africa), and Bristol Bears.

He linked up with Chiefs from Bristol in June 2022.

Exeter are the only team without a Premiership win this term, having suffered six successive league defeats for the first time in one top-flight season.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “I would like to thank Omar for his hard work in helping us develop a new and transitional young group of players into a competitive Premiership squad.

“However, I felt we needed to head in a new direction defensively and after some conversations between Omar and I, we agreed now was the right time for a change.

“I would like to thank Omar for all of his efforts not just as a coach but as a valued member of our club over the past two years. As a club, we wish Omar and his family all the very best for the future.”

Thomas will now take on the role of defence coach after impressing with the University of Exeter and England U20s.

Thomas will also be involved with the England A coaching staff in their upcoming game against Australia A at the Twickenham Stoop.