Hammers Preview

The Exiles head to Hurlingham Park for Round 6

Welsh hit the road again this weekend with a local trip to Hammersmith & Fulham.

Hammers are no strangers in recent seasons, with this being the 4th season that the two clubs will have been in the same league. There were no games between the clubs prior to project reset in 2017, up until that point there had been at least 4 leagues between the sides since the advent of league rugby.

We have certainly made up for that since 2017. As the record stands, Welsh have 4 wins in 5 matches played. The only loss coming last season in the very first game of the season away at the Hurlingham. This will be a match very fresh in the memories, as supporters and players may well feel that but for that game, London Welsh would be in National 2 by now!

The Exiles will remember that opening game to 23/24, notable for the injuries to the squad that witnessed centre Lima Savaiinaea playing his first and only match at blindside flanker! In fact only 3 names in the starting team that weekend make it into this weekends side!

Which takes us to the team for Round 6.

With a big month ahead and following rotation in Rounds 4 and 5, we see a number of players come back from rotation and a number of players rested.

Chay Bailey returns in the boiler house as Will Mckenna takes a well earned break weekend. We have a late change to the squad with Jack Rouse (originally slected) tweaking a groin on Thursday evening. However, he is replaced by intended restee Ben Davies (who had played every round aside from Round 2 thus far). No rest thus for Ben, but what a replacement!

Tom Williams (no stranger to the #lwfamily having captained the side on numerous occasions) the former national league 8, returns to the squad for the first time this season having overcome a back injury. That will no doubt be a huge boost to the squad and coaching team alike with a big month ahead.

Making up the backrow is Jack Waving: the former Dragons Academy talent gets the nod for his debut as last months player of the month. Rhydian George is rested.

Hywel Williams gets his first start at 9 of the season having broken his hand in the pre season win away at Old Albanians; club captain Adam  Nixon dropping to the bench.

Ewan Gully replaces Lima Saviianea at 13 with the big Samoan taking a knock to the ankle in Round 5. It is fantastic to see Ewan back after a season away with injury. The former Welsh Premiership and BUCS Prem centre will be keen to prove his ability on return and following a couple if build up games in the Druids.

The top try scorer for the last 3 seasons Tom Hunt is recalled to the back 3 having been rested in recent rounds. He will be looking to make it 4 in a row.

Nathan Frost finds a spot on the bench after some stand out games in the Druids.

Steve Shingler is rested along with Connor Botha. Top try scorer this season so far Adam Dunne, also sits this one out.

What strength in depth we now have in the performance squad with several players rested and very little (if any!!) difference noted to the matchday squad.

In terms of injury updates: we have referenced Lima Savaiinaea and Jack Rouse above, both are expected back for Round 7.

Tommy Bell turned his ankle badly in Round 2 but the former Premiership man has been assessed this week and is a matter of weeks away from return.

The Druids are also in action as a curtain raiser to the 1st XV game, they take on Hammers II. Fresh from putting 90 past Richmond last weekend The Druids again find an embarrassment of riches! Over 200 1st appearances again on display, including 6 players with national league experience, and several with experience in the Welsh Premiership or Championship.

Hammers have had a tough start to the season and find themselves 10th with 1 win from 5. That win came narrowly In Round 1 away to Brighton. However, our opponents showed up well last weekend in Round 5 losing narrowly to 4th placed Wimbledon.

Trivia fact- Andrew Rogan Starts at loosehead for the hosts this weekend. Andrew is well known to the Exiles and indeed was the man with the whistle way Back in the 2017/18 season at the start of project reset when Welsh beat Bank of England [away] to effectively win Herts & Middlesex 1 and attain their first promotion post the Premiership era.

The Druids will Kick Off at 1pm and be followed by the main event at 3pm; Hurlingham Park. We are told that parking with not be in abundance at the Hurlingham and supporters are advised to plan ahead.

We look forward to.seeing the #lwfamily out in force as the Druids and 1st XV look to both remain unbeaten in 2024/25.