The Round 5 Saturday Preview

Well the league table makes for pretty good reading after Round 4 and with 20% of the league season completed. With block one behind us, London Welsh can reflect on the best start to a season since the 21/22 campaign and as project reset steps up a gear once more.

Following a well earned rest the performance squad return to camp in high spirits. The escapades in September seeing the 1st XV and Druids 2nd XV both top of their respective leagues and as a cherry on top comes the RFU team of month award for September! Indeed all senior sides across the club (women's, men's and Vets) remain unbeaten this season.

However, we are back to business and the not small task of a visiting Tunbridge Wells side in Round 5. DoR Cai Griffiths will be under no illusion of to the tough task facing his men at home this weekend.

Our visitors arrive buoyed by an impressive victory in Round 4, taking the thus far unbeaten record of 23/24 Nat 2 side Wimbledon at the same time.

Round 3 aside it has been somewhat of an indifferent start to the campaign for Tunbridge Wells, who finished 4th in the league last time around, behind us in 3rd. Round 1 brought a home defeat at the hands of high flying Jersey, before a humbling in Round 2 at home to CS Stags by 50 points to 6!

However, victory at Horsham in Round 3 [27-41] makes Round 4s victory at home to Wimbledon, two wins on the bounce for TW; who now find themselves 6th in the league on 9 points.

Last season marks the only occasion that the two sides have met in league rugby. With the results from last year leaving the scorecard at one win each. The Exiles lost narrowly at TW in November 2023 31-27 after Lima Savaiinaea was red carded in the 12 minute of that game. Welsh avenged that loss in the reverse Fixture at ODP in February of this year, coming out 48-33 winners in a high scoring game that had TW come back strongly In the second 40.

With a host of players rested for both Rounds 3 and 4 in rotation, Welsh come into Round 5 with a fairly clean bill of health. There will likely be returns after a rest, for Tom Hunt and

Adam Dunne to the back 3; The latter being this seasons top try scorer with 4 in 3 despite being rested in Round 4. In fact, since joining from Richmond last season, Dunne now has 14 tries in just 12 appearances - not a bad strike rate!

Hywel Williams has returned well from his broken hand in the pre season away win at Old Albanians and could feature in Round 5.

South African Connor Botha also returns following a rest in Round 4.

Also available after 2 weeks of fitness work are new signings Jack Rouse and Rhodri Bullock. The former joining us from Esher via Ealing Trailfinders and the latter from Hartpury with Welsh Premiership experience. Both back row players have a hugely high calibre background at National level. Jack is a few weeks ahead of Rhodri and could feature this weekend.

The legend that is Tommy Bell remains out with his ankle injury sustained in Round 2, along with long term absentee Tom Willliams - the no.8 still suffering with back problems and yet to feature this term. Finally, a knee injury sustained by George West playing for the Druids in Round 3 keeps him out for another week. Ed Couzens is unavailable.

That aside, the squad is at full strength.

The Druids also return to action this weekend as they visit neighbours Richmond Norman's in Round 4 of the London & Southern Counties Premiership. Andy Evans men sit proudly atop of the table after 3 rounds, the last outing bringing a 70 point dismantling of Worthing 2s at ODP. The Druids Kick Off 1pm at the RAG.

There is no pre match lunch for this weekend but the Patrons bar and buffet is in full swing for the 3pm KO, with all matchday bars open from midday, and Ems pitch side bar open from 2.30pm.

Members will gain entry of course free of charge with their season tickets! We look forward to seeing as many of the #lwfamily as possible this weekend!

London Welsh (1)

VS

Tunbridge Wells (6)

Regional 1 South Central

12 October 2024

KO.3pm

#COYW