Exeter Chiefs have appointed former Royal Marine Dave Silvester as their new head of strength and conditioning after it was confirmed that Paddy Anson is due to leave the Premiership club at the end of the season.

Silvester, who already forms part of the club's strength and conditioning team alongside Anson and Mark Twiggs, will take on the role from next season and once his current commitments with the England set-up are concluded.

Recruited by the Chiefs initially in 2008 as the club's strength specialist, the 42-year-old Silvester has helped form part of a highly successful coaching triumvirate involving Anson and Twiggs, all of whom have helped the Chiefs to hit new heights in terms of on-field performance.

As well as being employed by the Chiefs, Silvester has worked extensively with the RFU for the past six years, forming part of the  England strength and conditioning team at the past two World Cups.

Welcoming the appointment, Exeter chief executive, Tony Rowe said: "Dave is not only well respected throughout the game, but having already been part of our team here at the Chiefs, he shares our vision of progression for the future. As a club we feel he has all the right attributes to help move us forward and we look forward to the impact he can make over time.

"At the same time, on behalf of everyone associated with Exeter Rugby Club, I would personally like to thank Paddy for all of his tremendous efforts over the last six years. Throughout his time with us he has been a consummate professional in every aspect of his work and we wish him and his family the very best for the future," added Rowe.

Silvester, better known to many around the Chiefs as 'Tweety', remarked: "Obviously I feel honoured to have been appointed into the role here at the Chiefs. As someone who has worked alongside Paddy for a number of years now, I know the huge amount of time, effort and dedication he has put into his role and I wish him every success for the future."