Salvi's raring to go
By Mark Stevens
18/11/17
As one of several players given the opportunity to recharge their batteries over the past fortnight, experienced Exeter Chiefs forward Julian Salvi insists he’s “raring to go” again ahead of tomorrow’s Aviva Premiership encounter with visiting Harlequins (3pm).
The Australian is one of a number of frontline stars recalled to first team duty against the Londoners having sat out the recent Anglo-Welsh Cup victories over Northampton Saints and the Scarlets.
Salvi will pack down in a Chiefs side looking to extend their impressive run of form, which has seen them lose just one game in their last ten fixtures in all competitions.
Riding high not only in the defence of their Premiership crown, but also Europe and that of the Anglo-Welsh Cup, the 32-year-old flanker has highlighted the club’s next three league fixtures as a key period in their seasonal quest.
“The next three fixtures are massive games, especially in terms of keeping us in and around the top,” said Salvi. “After that, we’ve got Leinster back-to-back in Europe, so it’s important we start this block with a decent performance at the weekend.
“Harlequins, we know, will be tough opponents. Yes, they are missing one or two players to international duty, but they’ve still got some very good players within their ranks. The 18-year-old at fly-half [Marcus Street] has been steering the ship nicely for them this season, so it’s up to us to man up against them and put in a performance Sandy Park deserves.”
With competition for places within the Chiefs side red hot, Salvi acknowledges he and those handed the shirt for tomorrow’s encounter must make it count.
“I think we’re all raring to go again,” he added. “Yes, it was good for a few of us to have a bit of a rest, but at the same time it was good to see so many of the other guys stand up so well in the Anglo-Welsh. There is always good competition for places here at the club, especially in the back-row, so as long as you are playing well, you do your best to try and hold onto the jersey.
“If you don’t, you know there are plenty of other guys ready to step in if needs be.”
Standing in the way of the Chiefs this weekend, however, are a Harlequins side who, on their day, have shown they can topple the very best in the division.
“We’ve had a good look at them this week,” continued Salvi. “They’ve been scoring lots of points, but they’ve also be leaking some as well. We know they’ll come down here looking to play a high tempo game and trying to match us in certain areas. What we have to do is stop their offloading game, stop them at source, but also impose our own game on them. If we can do that, then we give ourselves a good platform from which to really attack the game”