Steve Salvin leaves Exeter to become Wales forwards coach

Steve Salvin has departed Exeter Chiefs to become Wales women’s full-time forwards coach. He had already worked with Sean Lynn’s staff on an interim basis during the Women’s Six Nations and will now join the national set-up permanently.

The move comes as Wales prepare to regroup for pre-season on 3 August ahead of their WXV campaign. Their schedule includes September fixtures in Cardiff against South Africa and the USA, followed by two Tests in Japan in October.

Salvin joined Exeter in 2021 and was part of the coaching group involved in the club’s runs to the Premiership Women’s Rugby finals in 2022 and 2023. He later stepped into the Chiefs head coach role after Susie Appleby’s exit and guided Exeter to third place before a semi-final defeat to Saracens.

For Wales, the appointment adds another permanent piece to Lynn’s backroom team, which has also included defence coach Tyrone Holmes and interim attack coach Ashley Beck. For Exeter, it creates another leadership vacancy at a time when the club is already entering a new phase under new ownership.