Head Coach: Justin Burnell
Captain: Matt Corker/Tom May
2013/2014 Position: 2nd in Championship, Playoff Winners
2014/2015 Predicted Position: 12th
London Welsh Season Preview
London Welsh’s coaching staff have certainly been active in acquiring players for this season, with no fewer than 24 new signings coming into the club.
Head Coach Justin Burnell has a major task on his hands in keeping the Exiles in the Premiership, with the bookies making them joint favourites with Newcastle for relegation.
Welsh did brilliantly to pip Bristol for promotion last season, but even the most bias of their fans will find it hard to argue with the bookies as their squad looks very lightweight, despite the huge number of signings.
Piri Weepu is the most notable player to come in and should form a good half back partnership with Olly Barkley.
The area in which they could struggle is up front as their pack does not come up to scratch with other teams in the Premiership. Dean Schofield, Richard Thorpe and Lachlan McCaffrey are all experienced players, but do not have enough help around them.
Tim Molenaar will certainly add some beef to the backline, but I can’t see Welsh scoring enough tries to compete with the other teams around them in the relegation dogfight. They have done superbly to get to this level this season, ahead of big spending Bristol but it will be most likely be a one year stay in the top flight.
Players In:
Taione Vea (Prop) from Wasps
Ricky Reeves (Prop) from Wasps
Shane Cahill (Prop) from Cornish Pirates
Jack Gilding (Prop) from Viadana
Jimmy Litchfield (Prop) from Hartpury College R.F.C.
Pablo Henn (Prop) Limoges
Eddie Aholelei (Prop) Melbourne Rebels
Ben Cooper (Prop) from Bedford Blues
Nathan Taylor (Hooker) from Hartpury College R.F.C.
Koree Britton (Hooker) from Gloucester Rugby
James Sandford (Second Row) from Cornish Pirates
Josh McNally (Second Row) from Henley Hawks
Dean Schofield (Second Row) from Worcester Warriors
James Down (Second Row) from Cardiff Blues
Darren Waters (Back Row) from Newport Gwent Dragons
Jesse Liston (Back Row) from Blackheath
Cameron Goodhue (Back Row) from Worcester Warriors
Lachlan McCaffrey (Back Row) from Brumbies
Paul Rowley (Scrum Half) from Plymouth Albion
Piri Weepu (Scrum Half) Blues
Tristan Roberts (Out Half) from Bristol Rugby
Olly Barkley (Out Half/Centre) from Scarlets
Tim Molenaar (Centre) from Harlequins
Nic Reynolds (Centre) from Scarlets
Chris Elder (Full Back) from Plymouth Albion
Players Out:
Billy Moss (Prop) to Bedford Blues
Peter Edwards (Prop) to Scarlets
Cai Griffiths (Prop) to Ospreys
Kevin Davis (Prop) to Ealing Trailfinders
James Tideswell (Prop) to Leeds Carnegie
Tai Tuisamoa (Second Row) to London Scottish
Mitch Lees (Back Row) to Exeter Chiefs
Alec Hepburn (Prop) released
Rob Andrew (Second Row) released
Ian Nimmo (Second Row) released
Mike Denbee (Back Row) released
John Quill (Back Row) released
Ollie Frost (Scrum Half) retired
Toby L’Estrange (Out Half) released
Hudson Tonga’uiha (Centre) released
Joe Ajuwa (Wing) released
Andy Titterrell retired
Sonny Parker retired
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @johnnybkeogh. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest in sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for? GO!
Main photo:
