Salvi adding steel to Georgia defence

WHEN it comes to taking on a challenge, Julian Salvi has never been backwards in coming forwards and he's relishing his latest one as Georgia's defence coach.

- MARK STEVENS

As a player, the Australian was fiercely competitive, forging a career that started out initially with the Brumbies and took him to the Premiership, where he featured for Bath, Leicester and, finally, Exeter.

Known for his fierce tackling, intelligent play at the breakdown and leadership on the field, Salvi earned a reputation as one of the most effective defensive players of his generation.

A stellar career came to a close in 2018, after which he moved from one side of the corridor at Sandy Park to the other, taking on the role of defence coach of the Chiefs.

"I'm not going to lie, initially it was tough," he said. "I was 32 years of age and still in that mindset that I could still play and do a job. It was definitely a tough crossover, but then with time and I think Covid was one of those things that sort of fully twisted my mind in terms of, you know, no more playing, I knew then it was all about coaching.