Julian Salvi heads to Leicester

Australian openside flanker Julian Salvi has agreed to join Leicester Tigers ahead of the new season.

Salvi, who has just finished the Super 15 campaign with the Brumbies, is moving to Welford Road as an injury dispensation signing following the news that Craig Newby is likely to miss the opening months of the season with a knee problem which has required surgery.

The 25-year-old Salvi has made more than 50 appearances for the Brumbies in two spells either side of a season in the Premiership with Bath Rugby.

A former Australia Schools and Under-21s captain, Salvi has also represented Australia ‘A’ in two IRB Pacific Nations Cup campaigns.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “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. 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. 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.”