London Welsh V Jersey

The BIG ONE: Round 18 has arrived at ODP

Well, it has been talked about since late June, when the Regional 1 South Central fixture list was announced. The two former Championship winners pitted together once again at level 5. The tale of two clubs who may rightly feel hard done by over the last decade of their mutually long history. Two proud clubs, both of whom have returned to their roots to rediscover their soul and recapture the heart of the club.

Jersey were founded in 1879 but did not enter The English league system until 1994. Successive promotions in a concerted effort to progress through the pyramid found Jersey in London 3 by 2005 and progression all the way to tier 2 and the English Championship by 2012. The club turning fully professional in 2013.

The former Jersey Athletic (the amateur arm of Jersey Rugby) split from the professional side in 2022, allowing them to enter the English league set up in their own right. Therefore, the effective Jersey 2nd XV entered the league pyramid at level 7. Jersey the professional arm then being known as Jersey Reds, went on to win the Championship in the 2022/23 season; just as the Jersey Rugby club were winning London 2 at level 7 for promotion to level 6. Sadly, much like our good selves, professional rugby brought some good and then some very bad times. Jersey Reds went into administration and then liquidation in September 2023, leaving Jersey Rugby club to pick up the pieces and carry on. However, again much like our good selves, undeterred they did indeed pick up the baton and swiftly achieved promotion from Level 6 to level 5 in the 2023/24 season. And so the scene was set for the clash of the former champions - 10 years to the season since the clubs first met at level 2, they would be reunited at Level 5 (with plenty of stories from an eventful decade!).

Welsh were of course on their own journey as Jersey entered the Championship, with 2012/13 being our first season in the Premiership. Following relegation from the top table, Welsh faced Jersey for the first time in the clubs’ combined history in January 2014; the game ending with a Welsh win in Jersey by 33 to 26. A return leg at the Kassam followed in April 2014 which the Exiles won 45-7. The last time that both teams met at ODP as fully professional sides was in October 2016 when Welsh won by 23-18. Jersey counted amongst their number that day two Familiar names to the eagle eyed Welsh supporter, in the shape of Regan King and Kieran Hardy.

The meeting on the Island in November 2024 was only the second bonus point win for Welsh against Jersey and the very first time that Jersey have attained a try scoring bonus point. In all, Welsh have played Jersey on 6 occasions, winning all 6 encounters.

The first leg of this enthralling match up was equally as anticipated. Welsh taking the game to Jersey from the off and racing to a 19-0 lead. A yellow card and a resurgent home side brought things much closer by the final whistle, but a Player of the Match performance from Captain Matt Hodgson at 10 made for a 36-28 bonus point win when all was told. Crucially, the home side grabbing a try scoring bonus.

Jersey have had an excellent season thus far, winning 15 or their 17 matches and all bar one by way of try bonus. The only blemishes coming against the Exiles in that November fixture and then in January on a rearranged fixture weekend away to Old Alleynians. It is arguable and probable, that in any ‘normal season’ both sides would have already been crowned champions elect.

But, as it stands, 8 points separate the sides at the summit of level 5, with 5 games remaining.

The Reds count a host of former professionals in their ranks; Scott Van Breda, Dan Barnes, Jerry Sexton, Jack Macfarlane, Huw Owen, Aaron Penberthy and Max Ayling all remain with the club from the Reds days; Huw and Max being Welsh of origin!

Reds warmed up for the big clash by putting 4th placed Wimbledon to the sword in Round 17; despite losing centre Barnes to a Red card (who will be suspended for Round 18).

Welsh enter Round 18 on a 22 game unbeaten run that stretches back over 12 months; the second longest run in the clubs history. In the 24/25 season Welsh are 17 from 17 and all coming with a bonus point. The strength in depth in the squad has been quite remarkable this season, the culmination of a huge collective effort by the #lwfamily since project reset began in 2017. The Welsh win ratio since 2017/18 season and project reset, is a remarkable 84%; Welsh losing just 24 games in those 147 matches over the 7 seasons since project reset (20/21 being lost to covid). 

38 players have made an appearance for the 1st XV so far this season. The squad has been rotated quite brilliantly by the coaching staff to ensure opportunities for all and critically keeping the squad fresh and relatively injury free.

That said, the last 6 weeks has tested that nerve! With 8 1st XV players injured for Rounds 14-17 there have been some ruffled feathers. Most notably, a side with some fresh faces met a stern challenge in Round 17 away to Brighton; all ending well on the final whistle.

That takes us to the all important squad update (drum roll). To cut to the chase, the Squad is all but injury free! Captain Matt Hodgson returns having played only 40 minutes since Round 12. Rhydian George returns, Josh Pieterse, Tom Douglas, Andy Black, Hywel Williams, Jack Rouse, Connor Botha and Jacob Butler all return to fitness and into contention in what will be a fully loaded Exiles side.

Adam Nixon misses out.

What awaits the rugby faithful is a day of days! A true rugby spetacular. The London Welsh RFC Choir will be performing fresh from their guest appearance at Stadio Olimpico for the six nations entertainment last weekend. The former players lunch of 150 former stars has been fully booked for 2 months. We will have live music and all bars will be open from 11am, including Ems pitch side bar. We are expecting our biggest crowd since project reset with numbers from 1500-2000 in the offing (previous project reset record being just over 1200). We will of course have our semi friendly Dewi Dragon with us also!

Our sponsors will be with us in force and matchday is (as ever) brought to you by primary sponsors Inndex. Weightmans, Chestertons (our community sponsor), Wig & Pens, Prospera Wealth, 2iC and SPA will all be out in force. Don't forget to grab your pre match pint at The Hope On your way up the Kew Road!

There are still a small number of spaces remaining for the PIE & PINT offering pre match amd tickets can be booked here, along with pre booked tickets for gate entry:

 https://www.londonwelshrfc.com/events

We advise everyone who is not a club member and season ticket holder, to pre book your ticket online. The gate will be extremely busy and you should plan for delays. There will be a fast lane for members and pre booked ticket holders. We would stipulate that parking will be severely restricted and we strongly suggest that unless you pre book parking with us, you do not drive to the ground this weekend.

All that remains is for us to look forward to welcoming our island guests this weekend, the players, board, committee members and supporters, we hope that you enjoy Old Deer Park.

We will see you all at 2pm on Saturday for this hotly anticipated contest, in what must be the biggest game in the UK this weekend (we humbly utter).

#COYW

#lwfamily