Exeter Chiefs confirm departure of defence coach Julian Salvi

Exeter Chiefs have announced that defence coach Julian Salvi will be leaving the club with immediate effect.

Salvi was part of the Exeter squad when they won the Premiership title for the first time 2017 and moved to coaching in 2018. Under his coaching stint, the club went on to reach the Premiership finals three times and also completed a double that included a Champions Cup triumph in 2020.

Nevertheless, the Chiefs managed to win just 10 out of the 22 games this season and are at fifth place in the table.

“I have been looking to make a change and bring in some fresh ideas within the coaching group," said Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter to the club's official website.

"Julian was in the scenario that his contract was up at the end of the season and following discussions between myself and him, I have made the decision to make that change now.

“I would like to thank Julian for all of his efforts, not just as a player, but as a coach and as an all-round clubman, over the past seven years. As a club, we wish Julian and his family all our best wishes for the future.

“In the interim, I have asked Haydn Thomas to oversee our defence coaching until the end of the season, after which I will look at options as to where we go next in terms of this role within the first-team squad.”