London Welsh - Match preview

By Zippy (4/8/03)
August 4 2003

At long last after all the discussion about names, who should be on the board etc, we now have a rugby game to discuss. I hope I am not alone in being excited about the new season, we have much to look forward to we have the strongest squad in Wales and a realistic chance in competing on all fronts.

Anyway before the silverware, The "Warriors" play 3 pre-season friendlies, the 1st against our exiled brothers - London Welsh

London Welsh have one of the oldest and proudest histories in club rugby, I am too young to remember the likes of Club President - John Dawes but their exploits are legendary. He was the one with the "great dummy" from That Try.

London Welsh currently sit in the English national league division 1. They continue to upset the odds, last season they finished 5th behind the likes of big money teams such as Worcester and Orrell.

National League One
June 18, 2003
P W D L BP PTS
1 Rotherham 26 24 0 2 20 116
2 Worcester 26 23 0 3 22 114
3 Exeter 26 20 2 4 20 104
4 Orrell 26 18 2 6 15 91
5 London Welsh 26 15 0 11 16 76

In the tradition of the club they continue to play open expansive attacking running rugby, it is a tribute to those at the club that they are able to compete at such a high level.

On the coaching side is a man we are all familiar with, Adrian Davies the former Wales and Cardiff fly half heads up the coaching team at only 34. Like Phil Davies at Leeds another exiled coach having success across the border.

On the playing side a player Pontypridd based fans will know is Rory Greenslade-Jones, he spent a season or two up at Sardis road before returning across the bridge, at 28years of age he has moved from wing to centre and is obviously someone the Warriors should be weary of.

This is the Warriors 1st pre-season friendly and I would expect a lot of experimentation with the side, I still see an entertaining match with the Warriors coming out on top.

The match is being played at the Metropolitan Police ground at Imber Court, kickoff 3pm on 9 August. Note the ground because this is not London Welsh normal home venue - Old Deer Park.

Supporters transport is being organised with coach(es) leaving The Brewery Field at 9am and returning 1 hour after game.
Cost to travel will be no more than £10 for adults and £5 for children and to book your seat please phone Simon Green on: 07719 889364 or e-mail: simoncgreen@hotmail.com