London Welsh will begin their pre season for the 22/23 campaign with a trip to South Wales to play Pontypridd, in a game filled with history between the two clubs.
This is the first time that the two clubs have played each other since 2014, in a game which the Exiles won 40-12 at Sardis Road.
The two teams were due to square off for a pre season game in Pontypridd in 2021, but the fixture was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Saturday will also see a reunion between formr London Welsh and the current Ponty head coach, Justin Burnell, who helped guide the Exiles back to the Premiership at the first time of asking back in 2014.
London Welsh ended last season successfully, gaining promotion to the national leagues, their 4th promotion in 4 consecutive seasons since project reset; While their Cymraeg counterparts finished seventh in the Welsh Premiership.
Nine new players have been added to Welsh’s squad so far this pre-season, including players who have significant national league experience and indeed Welsh Premiership experience, all will be hoping to play a part in the game this weekend.
After this weekend’s fixture, Welsh will travel to Reading to play National League 1’s Rams RFC, before finishing off pre season with a trip across west London to play Ealing Trailfinders’ Academy.
Welsh have continued the tradition of recent years with a trip to South Wales during pre season: last season Welsh took on Cardiff RFC at CAP, and prior to the Covid enforced break Welsh took on Neath in 2019 at the Gnoll.
London Welsh will begin their Regional 1 South Central journey with a trip to Maidenhead RFC on the 3rd September before returning to Old Deer Park on the 17th September where they will face Oxford Harlequins.
The London Welsh Druids 2nd XV will also be in action on Saturday with a 3pm KO after the 1st XV and facing off against Llantwit Fardre. The Welsh National League One side will prove a tough test for Paul Bessents Druids side as they look forward to the start of the Merit Premier League campaign.
We look forward to seeing as many of the #lwfamily at Sardis as possible; tickets will be available on the gate. Supporters Club transport from Old Deer Park via the Supporters Club bus can be booked here https://www.tickettailor.com/events/londonwelshsupportersclub
