Phil Dollman
A t ribute t o t he E xet er Chief s st alwart who has bowed out of t op-f light r ugby
OB BAXTER is known for making shrewd signings, for spotting players who may be in the shadows at other clubs, bringing them to Sandy Park and seeing them thrive in an Exeter Chiefs shirt.
It’s a knack he’s had since taking charge of the club because his first-ever signing was Phil Dollman. The full-back arrived from the Dragons in 2009, helped the Chiefs win the Championship in his first season and became a pivotal figure over ten years in the Premiership before signing off at the belated end of the 2019-20 campaign with nearly 250 club appearances to his name.
According to former Chiefs wing Matt Jess, who now runs MSJ Coaching, the key to Baxter’s recruitment policy is that he looks at character as well as ability. Jess first crossed paths with Dollman at the Dragons in 2006-07 and a couple of years later they were reunited in Devon.
“Rob signs people who are good characters, it’s all to do with character,” says Jess. “I remember Rob coming to ask if I knew Dolly and if he would fit at Exeter, and I said, ‘Definitely’. He’s a really humble, down-to-earth guy and I thought he’d be a good fit for the club.” Baxter agreed and so it turned out.
Dollman’s time at Exeter wasn’t without the odd ribbing. When he first arrived, he was given the
Runfortunate nickname ‘Melted Wheelie Bin’ as he was a little out of shape. Then there was the time he chipped one of his front teeth. “He didn’t know he’d done it until he took his gumshield off and half his tooth came out – Kai Horstmann was giving him a lot of banter,” says Jess.
Stuart Hogg is now in possession of the Exeter No 15 shirt, but Dollman’s contribution over the past decade can’t be ignored. He may not have the Test pedigree of the Scotland captain – Dollman was overlooked by Wales until 2017, only for an injury in the Premiership final win to deny him the chance to earn an elusive cap – but he’s a player who has shown incredible consistency.
Jess played in the same back-line as Dollman for seven years and heaps praise in the Welshman’s direction. “He’s deceptively quick and deceptively strong. He knows when to hand off, when to fend, and is a good ball-carrier with a good leg drive. There’s also his elusiveness and reading of the game.
Whether at 13 or 15, he’d play inside me a lot and his timing of the pass…
“I remember a game at London Welsh in the Championship season. It was an icy day, quite treacherous conditions, and he made a hell of a break and then the timing of his pass to put me over for a try was sublime. That wasn’t a one-off – he put me in for a few tries.
“In his testimonial game last year, I put him in for the last try of the game and it was like I was returning the favour. His game at Sandy Park was a great day; you turn up to that not to play a game of rugby but because he’s a good person and you want to support him.
“He’s an unbelievable player and was an unbelievable support for me throughout the years. He’s an all-round good guy and deserves a tribute.”
Jess is also quick to point out Dollman’s influence in the second half of last season. Adding experience alongside a raft of youngsters in Exeter’s ‘second’ team, the 35-year-old helped the club to impressive victories, notably against Bristol. And Dollman hasn’t completely hung up his boots yet because he will continue playing for Sidmouth, where he also has a coaching role.
As the Chiefs’ chapter of his career ends, though, it seems fitting to give Baxter the final word. “I’ve loved every minute of coaching him,” says the Exeter DoR. “He has played a phenomenal amount of good rugby for us and been a key part of the journey to where we are. I can’t give the guy enough credit.”
“THE GREAT All Black Ian Jones came out of retirement to play at Wasps and his advice was: ‘Carry on playing for as long as you can. Once you’ve wrung out the best in you, keep squeezing as you’re a long time retired’. Hanging up my boots at 38 paid testament to that.
“The transition to ‘real life’ was difficult. I took a role as business development manager for one of the five top global recruiters. It sounds great but it was 2008 and the world was in recession.
PAUL VOLLEY
Age 49 (2 Nov 1971) Position Flanker Teams Wasps, Castres, Harlequins & London Scottish
“After six months, Jon Sleightholme introduced me to the Mergermarket CEO. They invested time and energy in my development and I’ve been there ever since, taking roles across the various product ranges they offer.
“Having a son playing rugby and a daughter playing netball, I balance my time between them, cycling and skiing.
“With the introduction of the TMO, I wouldn’t have survived! My role was to disrupt quick ball by legal means or not.”