Esher Rugby

Further to recent management changes at Esher Rugby Club (“ERFC” or the “Club”), we are announcing today that Chris Wilkins will be leaving his role as Head Coach, with Mike Brown stepping in to that role with immediate effect, on an interim basis until a new Head Coach is formally announced. Esher Rugby Club would like to thank Chris for an outstanding contribution to the Club both as player, Head Coach, and organiser of so many areas, over the years at ERFC.

Chris joined us from Wasps where he was a key player keeping out a young Lawrence Dallagio from the side. Unfortunately, a major neck injury sidelined him until he joined Esher in 2000 where he went on to play 160 1^st XV games for the club. He was an outstanding number 8 and was a major reason ERFC were promoted through the leagues, as well as playing a significant part in ERFC being promoted back into National one twice. He ran the Presidents Cup since it started in 2002, an annual event held in August with several top schools competing and helped set up the ERFC Development XV. Chris has been head coach at ERFC for several years, whilst also having a full-time role at a highly successful rugby school: Whitgift where he worked alongside and nurtured some outstanding rugby talent. This enabled him to help with the recruitment of standout players into ERFC such as Sam Morley, James Botterill, and Jacob Morris. All of whom were also at Exeter University where Chris has also fostered a fantastic relationship between the Clubs so that players can be encouraged to come and play at ERFC.

ERFC have hired the services of James Chisolm as defence coach for the remainder of the 25/26 season to work alongside Mike Brown and the rest of the coaching team. James is a current Harlequins player, a qualified coach and currently coaches Harlequins Women.

Mark Bennett (President of Esher Rugby Club) said:

“Chris Wilkins is a great friend of mine and we played together many times over the years. He was someone you could always rely on to turn up in a big game, and it was a pleasure to play alongside him, which will remain some of my fondest memories of being at the Club. We wish him well for the future and look forward to continuing to see him down at the Club.

We are also very excited to welcome James Chisolm to the coaching team and look forward to announcing a new Head Coach in due course.

While a transition year can often seem fraught due to change, the building blocks are being put in place across all areas of this ambitious and aspirational Rugby Club, so we can be the best we can achieve, throughout the entire Club.”