Promise and hope quickly turned into turmoil and torment as London Welsh have endured one of the toughest seasons on record. For the Welsh Exiles the story doesn’t make for pretty or indeed easy reading as after twenty two rounds they have conceded over one thousand points and clocked up just two hundred and twenty three of their own.
The buzz phrase during pre-season was ‘we want to be competitive’ and as outsiders looking in it didn't seem to be a tremendously unrealistic ambition. Justin Burnell and his side were ready for the challenge, however after a Round 1 visit from the Exeter Chiefs the alarm bells sounded for the Chiefs totally overpowered Welsh and since every other Premiership side has followed suit. It would be remiss not to mention the overarching circumstances that the side were working in for like all promoted sides Welsh had limited recruitment time, hardly any pre-season and a lot less funding than their counterparts. The three aforementioned factors were compounded by their output on the field of play for defensive solidity came at a premium and silly errors, that they shouldn't have made, were often the order of the day.
Naturally there will be questions regarding their decision to sign twenty six players prior to the start of the season and questions around their choices for their marquee men. Speaking with the utmost respect their marquee men the likes of Olly Barkley and Peri Weepu haven't delivered wholly to expectations and I believe they would be the first to admit to that. Welsh's other signings including Tim Moleenar and Chris Hala'ufia were sidelined by injuries for a large proportion of the season and that was unfortunate. Of that those men that did take to the pitch Seb Jewell played with purpose from full back and more recently Chris Elder has gone about his business with proficiency. As part of the pack Carl Kirwan and Lachlan McCaffery worked themselves into the ground. As a collective scrummaging parity, for the full eighty, was a challenge when faced with the likes of Saints or Tigers. When he was on the field Welsh’s big unit, Opeti Fonua was a handful and should Leicester get him in better physical shape then he will ask questions of other Premiership Number 8s. A bonus point away at Bath and forty or even sixty minutes of pushing sides were the highlights however their full output fell short for this level of rugby.
That said, I must commend the manner in which the entire club has endured this punishing season; every player, manger and coach has acted graciously throughout. From the start of the season with Justin Burnell and his coaching team to the end of the season after the changing of the guard with Rowland Philips. For twenty two rounds the Welsh players gave their all for every minute of every game and never slouched in spite of being kicked hard when they were already down. Undoubtedly the past eight months will have delivered some of the darkest days of their professional careers and I wholeheartedly applaud their fortitude.
A few weeks away from rugby will be essential before they begin the task of rebuilding, they will need to find some confidence and crucially remember how it feels to win matches again. Welsh need to draw a line under their Premiership difficulties and start again as a new Championship outfit. They are signing well to fill the individuals leaving, they've already secured the services of Worcester's Josh Druaniniu, Irish's Guy Armitage and lured former Wasp Joe Carlisle back from Italy. However the lingering question is just how much of an impact will such a brutal season of rugby have had on the side? Only time will tell and personally I wish them all the very best back in the Championship.
Key Men - Seb Jewell and the retiring Tom May always applied himself on the field of play
Most Impressive Result - their solo bonus point achieved away at The Rec 26 - 53
Strongest Signings for 15/16 Season - Joe Carlisle & Guy Armitage.. if they both focus and play to their full potential
Overall Assessment - The toughest of times as they were out of their league, but always handled themselves with dignity.
Key Men - Seb Jewell and the retiring Tom May always applied himself on the field of play
Most Impressive Result - their solo bonus point achieved away at The Rec 26 - 53
Strongest Signings for 15/16 Season - Joe Carlisle & Guy Armitage.. if they both focus and play to their full potential
Overall Assessment - The toughest of times as they were out of their league, but always handled themselves with dignity.
