Experience is key, insists Salvi

By Jamie Hawkins
4/5/17

Julian Salvi says Exeter Chiefs have learnt from the experience of last season's play-off run as they prepare for another charge this year.

The Premiership side made it all the way to the final last season, losing to Saracens, but are looking to go one better this time around, and Salvi says they have plenty of confidence.

He said: "We were confident last year, we're confident this year, but have a bit more depth this year.

"We can rely on guys stepping in, obviously we don't want to lose anyone at this stage of the year, but we've got great depth. The guys are better for having the experience of the semi-final and final. They know what it's about, the confidence is there, the belief is there, and it's just making sure we buy into that now."

Chiefs will secure a home semi-final with a bonus-point win at Gloucester this Saturday, and flanker Salvi is hoping they can continue their record-breaking run.

The 31-year-old said: "They're a confident bunch of boys in the changing rooms at the moment. We had a good result against Northampton, it's all about making sure we continue on that pathway and we put in a good performance this weekend.

"You want to hit form this time of year, and we're doing that. It's about continuing that, not taking the foot off now, making sure that we keep driving the standards and we keep performing the way we have done.

"You don't want to go into this last game with nothing really to play for, you want to try and win the fight to the top of the table, and get a home semi-final. The big thing for us is making sure we get that result."

Salvi is enjoying regular game time after missing a large chunk of the season with a bicep injury, and is enjoying being a part of the side, who have suffered several injuries over the past few weeks.

He said: "You never want to be left out of the team, and when you're given that opportunity you want to take it with both hands and you don't want to release it, so it's about putting on a performance that the jersey deserves, and trying to hold onto it.

"Injuries come and go, guys filtering in, filtering out and you rely on the depth of the squad, and thankfully we've got a lot of depth here. We've got a lot of talented players, and we've had to dig into that to some extent,. We've got a few guys coming back, and a few guys that a going to be missed, but that part and parcel of the rugby season. "