RUGBY UNION: Exiles building for the future
10:00am Thursday 27th June 2013 in Sport
By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456
New Exiles coach Justin Burnell (right) with assistant Gordon Ross
LONDON Welsh head coach Justin Burnell believes he is compiling a squad capable of regaining their Premiership status.
The Exiles, who are staying at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium as they seek promotion from the Championship, added front-row forwards Nathan Trevett and Kevin Davis to their ranks this week.
They follow ten other signings announced by the club over the close season.
Burnell said: “These are two very solid signings which will bolster an already competitive squad, as we aim to regain Aviva Premiership status.â€
Loose-head prop Trevett, 28, is reunited with Burnell, whom he was with at Cardiff, while prop/hooker Davis, 27, who joins from Queensland Reds, is an Oxford Blue.
Burnell added: “I know Nathan from my time with Cardiff Blues and have extensively researched Kevin and watched footage of him.
“I am confident that we have added two experienced players that can help us achieve our ambitions.â€
The Exiles started pre-season training at their traditional Old Deer Park ground in Richmond last week, but will move operations to the Oxford area in the next few months.
Welsh’s first match of the new Championship season will be on a neutral venue.
The Exiles will take on Bedford at Saracens’ Allianz Park on the weekend of September 13, 14 and 15.
This is part of an extra round introduced by organisers, which will see all 12 clubs take part in double-headers.
Welsh will then have 22 ‘regular’ home and away fixtures.
Meanwhile, brewers Greene King IPA are the league’s new sponsors. LONDON WELSH FIXTURES.
(Home games at Kassam Stadium unless stated).
September.
13-15 v Bedford Blues (Allianz Park), 20-22 v Nottingham Rugby (a), 27-29 v Plymouth Albion (h). October.
October.
4-6 v Rotherham Titans (a), 25-27 v Cornish Pirates (h).
November.
1-3 v Leeds Carnegie (a), 8-10 v Bristol Rugby (h), 15-17 v Ealing Trailfinders (h), 22-24 v Moseley (a), 29-30 Dec 1 v Bedford Blues (a).
December.
20-22 v London Scottish (h).
January.
3-5 v Jersey v London Welsh (a), 24-26 v Leeds Carnegie (h), 31 Feb 1-2 v Plymouth Albion (a). February. 7-9 v Rotherham Titans (h), 14-16 v Cornish Pirates (a), 28 Mar 1-2 v Ealing Trailfinders (a).
March.
7-9 v Moseley (h), 21-23 v Bedford Blues (h), 28-30 v Lon Scottish (a).
April.
4-6 v Jersey (h), 18-20 v Bristol Rugby (a), 25-26 v Nottingham Rugby (h).
Play-off semi-finals.
May 9-11 16-18. Play-off final.
Thursday May 29 Wednesday June 4.
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Article source: http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/opinion/rankin-and-lavery-must-now-build-on-mclauchlans-good-groundwork.21456211
RUGBY UNION: Exiles building for the future
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