Salvin named as interim head coach of Exeter Chiefs Women

Steve Salvin has been named as Exeter Chiefs Women’s interim head coach ahead of the 2025/26 season.

A part of an off-season of change for the women’s side, Salvin will work alongside two new appointments: backs and attack coach Oli Bishop and team manager Keith Brooking.

The club’s chairman and CEO Tony Rowe CBE said: “We have now put together a leadership team that will see us into the new season. Steve and Oli come with years of coaching experience between them, while Keith has not only served this club as a player but has also worked as one of our Academy coaches for the past six years. I am excited to see how they progress with our group of players.”

Salvin arrived at Sandy Park in November 2021 as assistant coach, taking on forwards and defence duties, having previously worked at Rotherham Titans, Leeds Carnegie Academy and as the performance pathway manager at Worcester Warriors Academy.

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said: “Steve stepping in as interim head coach is a great opportunity for him to drive the women’s rugby programme forward through the off season, pre-season and into next season’s PWR.

“He has already been involved in the new direction the team is taking in being based at a new off-site venue where the women’s squad will now have the ability to train through daylight hours in purpose-built facilities.

“Steve is building a strong squad with a quality coaching and back-room staff whose aim will be to deliver high quality rugby and coaching to Exeter Chiefs and the local area through our links with University of Exeter, Exeter College and Truro College and the Exeter Academy.”

Salvin, who is currently organising the retention and recruitment of players for next season, said: “I am very grateful and excited to be given this opportunity to try and continue the incredible work that Susie Appleby has done over the past five years. Some wonderful foundations have been laid, and I feel very fortunate to be the person to try and build on that in conjunction with Oli and Keith.

“We have some fantastic developments in place with a new facility and a more daytime-based programme and the squad is taking shape nicely. It seems a long way off at the moment, but I can’t wait to be back at Sandy Park hearing our super fans cheering for the team.”