London Welsh
Nickname:
The Exiles
Founded:
1885
Years in Top
Tier: 1
Last Year:
Greene King IPA Championship Champions, British & Irish Cup group stage
Europe:
Challenge Cup
Director of
Rugby: Justin Burnell
Transfers:
In: Piri
Weepu (Auckland Blues), Olly Barkley (Llanelli), Tim Molenaar (Harlequins),
Dean Schofield (Worcester),Tristan Roberts (Bristol), Chris Elder (Plymouth
Albion), Nick Reynolds (Llanelli), Ricky Reeves (Wasps), Taione Vea (Wasps),
Shane Cahill (Cornish Pirates), Jack Gilding (Viadana), Nathan Taylor (Hartpury
College), Jimmy Litchfield (Hartpury College), James Sandford (Cornish
Pirates), Cameron Goodhue (Worcester), Paul Rowley (Plymouth Albion), Jesse
Liston (Blackheath), Josh McNally (Henley), Koree Britton (Gloucester), Darren
Waters (Newport), Lachlan McCaffrey (ACT Brumbies), Pablo Henn (Limoges), Eddie
Aholelei (Melbourne Rebels), James Down (Cardiff Blues), Ben Cooper (Bedford)
Out: Mitch
Lees (Exeter), Tyson Keats (Unknown), Peter Edwards (Llanelli), Sonny Parker
(Retirement), Cai Griffiths (Ospreys), Billy Moss (Unknown), Paddy Ryan
(Unknown), James Tideswell (Leeds), Joe Ajuwa (Rosslyn Park), Ollie Frost
(Unknown), Toby L’Estrange (Unknown), Hudson Tonga’uiha (Unknown), Mike Denbee
(Unknown), John Quill (Unknown), Rob Andrew (Unknown), Kevin Davis (Ealing),
Ian Nimmo (Unknown)
Ins: 25
Outs: 18
Welsh bounced straight back to the Premiership, beating
Bristol 48-28 on aggregate, becoming the 7th team in 9 years to
achieve that feat. Playing again at the
Kassam Stadium in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, this time they have not had to go
through a damaging off season lawsuit.
Or at least not to gain promotion.
This is not the same Welsh side that graced the Premiership
two seasons ago. Lyn Jones has gone to
Newport and been replaced by former Cardiff forwards coach Justin Burnell, his
honest appraisals and no nonsense style has already garnered many fans and he
is assisted by the ever popular Ollie Smith.
There is no debate that the major Welsh signing has been World
Cup winner Piri Weepu. His health is a
worry, reportedly suffering a stroke in March, but his talent is
undoubted. A controlling boot and
experienced goal kicker Weepu looks suited to the smash and grab style that
Welsh will employ.
Much has been made of the 25 signings made by Welsh but
realistically many are simply bodies to fill the LV and Challenge Cup
fixtures. Welsh look thin on quality in
crucial places like prop and fly half and won’t be helped by flanker Carl
Kirwin missing the opening stages with injury.
Kirwin was a star of the promotion push and will surely be around the
Premiership for a long time to come.
Unfortunately I can’t say the same for Welsh. I don’t see where more than 3 or 4 games this
season can be won and don’t think it will be enough to keep them up.
Prediction: 12th
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