Exiles aim to build on Welsh legacy

Steffan Thomas finds out London Welsh have gone back to their roots to mount a recovery

- Steffan Thomas

IN the amateur era London Welsh had some of the finest players in world rugby on their books. Wales and British & Irish Lions legends JPR Williams, Gerald Davies and John Dawes all graced the hallowed turf of Old Deer Park.

But since the dawn of professionalism, the London-based club have found things much more difficult. Apart from two seasons in the top-flight of English rugby, they have struggled to make their mark and have fallen down the divisions.

It has been a sorry tale of financial turmoil and rugby strife. Now the club are led by player-coach Cai Griffiths, who enjoyed an 11year career at the Ospreys when they were among the best club sides in Europe.

North Walian Griffiths was a key member of that squad and packed down alongside the likes of Wales internationals Alun Wyn Jones, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Duncan Jones and Paul James.

After London Welsh fell into liquidation in December 2018, they were removed from English rugby’s professional ranks and plummeted down the leagues.

Griffiths, who is assisted by former Scarlets, London Irish and Cardiff Blues outside-half Steven Shingler, has been successful in stabilising the Exiles. Before coronavirus disrupted the current season Welsh were top of the pile in London Two North West – Level 7 in the English system – and have duly been rewarded with promotion.