LONDON Welsh were once a club at the pinnacle of the rugby world, providing the game with some of its greatest players, such as British and Irish legends JPR Williams and John Dawes.
However, the professional era brought financial troubles for the club, and disaster came in 2017 when the RFU dissolved the professional side of the operation, and they became purely an amateur team playing in the lower tiers of the rugby pyramid.
Since 2017, those at the Exiles have been determined to return the once-great club back to where it belongs through ‘project reset’. They have achieved multiple promotions and are now at level five, one league title away from returning to the National Leagues.
They went into this weekend top of Regional 1 South Central with four wins from four and director of rugby Cai Griffiths, below, is confident they can rise to the challenge.
“We’re very happy with how pre-season went, trying to layer on the success from last year. Our main focus is to be able to say we are the fittest side in the league.” Griffiths told The Rugby Paper.
Denne historien er fra October 06, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 06, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
