Liecester Tigers recruit former Brumbie Julian Salvi – Rugby Union news
Julian Salvi, the 25-year-old Flanker from Brumbies, is the latest recruit for the Leicester Tigers. Ricahrd Cockerill of the Tigers made the announcement during a meeting with reporters on Tuesday, July 12.
The Australian induction has been made as a replacement for Craig Newby, who has a knee injury which will require a surgical procedure, keeping him away until the end of December. Newby had been complaining about the pain in his knee for quite some time.
After a consultation with team doctors the management decided to go ahead with the two-part surgery. The rehabilitation of the knee has no set time frame as of yet but the player is expected to miss out on the start of the new season.
Salvi, who has been rated highly for his exceptional record with the Brumbies, grabbed the attention of the Tigers management after Newby’s injury left a vacant position on the squad.
The Aussie player had earlier left Brumbies to spend a year with English Premiership club, Bath. He had just recently made his comeback to the Brumbies. Salvi has just wrapped up his Super 15 tournament with the Brumbies and has joined the Tigers just prior
to the upcoming 2011-12 Aviva Premiership tournament and subsequently the Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC).
Richard Cockerill, Director of Rugby for the Tigers stated, "We're delighted that Julian has agreed to join us. He enjoyed a very good season in England a couple of years ago and has been a major performer in Australia too.”
However, Cockerill also expressed the loss felt by the team ahead of the RWC 2011, "Losing a player of Craig Newby's influence and experience is a blow to the squad, especially during a World Cup year when we are likely to be without a number of senior players.”
Salvi’s orientation into the squad will be a valuable one as confirmed by the director, "But we see Julian as a very good addition to the squad. He will join us by the end of July and his previous experience in this country should allow him to fit in pretty
quickly."
Salvi may be blessing in disguise for the Tigers because the young talent may turn out to be the best replacement for the Tigers star, Newby.
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