Exeter stalwart Cowling dies aged 82

Former Exeter Chiefs coach Robin Cowling has died aged 82.

A prop for England in the late 1970s, Cowling joined Exeter in 1998 as a coach and had a spell as interim team manager in 2009 following the sacking of director of rugby Pete Drewett.

Cowling worked with Exeter's academy and was instrumental in helping bring through a generation of talented young players including Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Neil Clarke, Jason Hobson, Ben Moon and Jack Yeandle.

Following his interim spell in charge, he was succeeded by current director of rugby Rob Baxter.

"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," Baxter said., external

"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."

As a player Cowling was a former Gloucester and Leicester Tigers forward, who won eight England caps and represented the Barbarians.

Cowling was born in Ipswich but steeped in Gloucester rugby as his grandfather and uncle John A'Bear both captained the Cherry and Whites.

Cowling, a farmer, played over 200 games for the club and helped them to victory on the inaugural RFU Knockout Cup final against Moseley in 1972 as well as playing in the Gloucestershire side which ended their 35-year wait for a County Championship win.

He moved to Leicester in 1972 and as well as appearing in three John Player Cup triumphs for the Tigers from 1979 to 1981.