The Welsh Rugby union are delighted announce Steve Salvin has been appointed as Wales Women’s senior side interim forwards coach for the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign.
Salvin has been seconded from his role as Exeter Chiefs Women’s head coach to take up his position with Wales.
He brings a wealth of coaching experience and was part of the coaching team that guided Exeter Chiefs to back-to-back PWR finals in 2022 and 2023. The Chiefs are currently third in the PWR table under Salvin’s stewardship.
Salvin has worked as an assistant coach at Sandy Park since 2021 before his promotion to Head coach.
Before that he was a coach Rotherham Titans and Leeds Carnegie Academy as performance pathway manager at Worcester Warriors Academy.
Salvin will join a new Wales Women’s coaching team, alongside Tyrone Holmes, Defence coach, and Ashley Beck, Interim Attack coach.
Salvin said: “The opportunity to work at international level with Wales and in the Women’s Six Nations was too good to turn down.
“Sean is a coach I have coached against in the PWR and all the coaches respect what he built at Gloucester-Hartpury and the success he had building a successful high-performance team.”
“His teams are always built on a real work ethic, grit and determination and his ability to bring players together and forge an identity has always been key.
Wales head coach, Sean Lynn, said: “Steve is a coach I know well and respect from my time in the PWR and his experience of the women’s game with the Chiefs is three to see.
“His forward pack have always been resilient, well-organised and a well-drilled outfit, and they make sides work hard throughout a game.”
Welsh Rugby Union Director of Rugby and Elite Performance, Dave Reddin, said: Steve’s reputation and experience in the women’s game impressed us all during the whole interview process.
“We are looking forward to seeing him transfer his technical expertise as we look to build a new identity for the Wales senior national side in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.”
The WRU can confirm Mike Hill, the Wales forwards coach, has chosen to move on. We thank Mike for his contribution to the women’s squad.
We wish Mike every success in the future.