Salvi was among the top performers in a win over Northampton Saints on Saturday which kept Tigers in the race for the semi-final places.
“It takes a massive effort from every member of the squad,” said Salvi. “You go through the whole week in training working on the skills and the right mental attitude and then to bring them all into a big game like that is great.
“Credit to everyone for sticking to our guns and for getting the four tries, playing some decent rugby against a very good side at such a difficult place to visit.
“We are in a good place at the moment, we’ve got some good bonus points in the last five games and that is great for morale. But we’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves. There are two important games to go.”
Tigers ran in four tries at Franklin’s Gardens, but were forced into a late reshuffle when replacement prop Martin Castrogiovanni was yellow-carded and Salvi left the field to have stitches in a cut cheek. Matt Smith moved into the back row of the pack, with fellow replacement Craig Newby taking over as skipper from the No8 role.
“We’ve got great depth and you know when you are one man down or someone is missing then the guys stepping up are going to do the job,” said Salvi. “That allows us to stay on the front foot. We know our jobs, we know our roles and when we get it right we are a very good team.”
Salvi enjoyed his first experience of a derby game at Franklin’s Gardens as a Tigers player, rifht from the team’s arrival for a sell-out fixture.
“It’s a big occasion and the Leicester fans made sure they got stuck in and I could hear them during the game,” he said. “That was great and it gives the guys a boost while they are playing.”
