RUGBY UNION: London Welsh in Oxford for long term, chairman

RUGBY UNION: London Welsh in Oxford for long term, chairman

9:20am Saturday 22nd June 2013 in Sport

By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

Bleddyn Phillips said London Welsh were aiming to locate to Oxford area in next few months

Bleddyn Phillips said London Welsh were making a long-term commitment to Oxford after announcing they were staying at the Kassam Stadium next season.

The club’s chairman told the Oxford Mail that Welsh will move their training ground and remaining administration staff to the area “over the course of the next few months”.

He also confirmed that the Exiles had agreed a cheaper rent with the Kassam Stadium’s owners and that they would pay their “fair share” toward the pitch renovations.

Phillips quashed rumours that Welsh were planning to change their name, but said he was “delighted” Oxford would now be their home.

“We would not have been able to afford to stay at the Kassam Stadium at the rates we were paying last year,” said Phillips.

“That was acknowledged, and they offered us more acceptable rates such that we were able to stay next season.”

The Exiles considered a number of options after being relegated from the Aviva Premiership, including playing at Iffley Road or returning to Richmond.

But the Championship club will now continue to share the Kassam Stadium with Oxford United as they seek to build support and profile in the city.

Phillips would not be drawn on figures and said Welsh had taken their time to make the right decision.

“A lot of it is confidential, but let’s just say that we will be playing in the area for years to come,” said Phillips.

The news seems to have gone down well among Welsh’s players.

The Exiles’ former Welsh international centre Sonny Parker tweeted: “It’s good news that @LondonWelshRFC are playing at the Kassam Stadium again in the @RFUChampionship. A great ground to play on #coyw”.

The Exiles are looking to increase their local rugby links, especially with Oxford University and will soon have a base in the area.

Phillips said: “Having made the decision to play our games in Oxford, we will look to bring our other offices and training ground there.

“The goal and the ambition is to relocate to the Oxford area over the course of the next few months.

“We have got sites, but we can’t say where they are just yet.”

Phillips said Welsh had a good relationship with Oxford United, who have spent more than £50,000 on pitch repairs this summer.

“We will do our best to look after the pitch and make sure that people are aware of that,” he said.

“We will make sure we pay our fair share towards it.”

As for rumours Welsh may change their name to include an Oxford reference, Phillips said: “That’s not true.

“We have been London Welsh for 130 years and it’s not something that we want to change.

“London Welsh is an historic brand name.”

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/407927/Ireland-crush-Canada

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RUGBY UNION: London Welsh in Oxford for long term, chairman