London Welsh promoted to National Leagues after standout season

Local TV Sport

London Welsh have earned promotion back to the National Leagues after a remarkable journey, earning their fifth promotion in just seven seasons. Despite recent setbacks, the club’s resilience has led them to become Regional One South Central champions, securing a spot in National League Two rugby for the 2025/26 season.

Transcript

00:00London Welsh has earned promotion back to the National Leagues after a remarkable journey,

00:08earning their fifth promotion in just seven seasons.

00:12Once a premiership club with notable players like Gavin Henson, Welsh were relegated from

00:18the Championship in 2017 after being liquidated at the end of 2016.

00:24Despite this setback, the club's resilience has led them to become Regional 1 South Central

00:29Champions, securing a spot in National League 2 rugby for the 2025-26 season.

00:37Former Ospreys prop Kai Griffiths, now the club's director of rugby, has played a significant

00:43role in their rise.

00:45Speaking after their victory over Wimbledon, Griffiths reflected on the club's goal of

00:51promotion, stating,

00:52It's something we targeted at the beginning of the season.

00:57He emphasised that while promotion was the aim, sustainability was also key to their

01:03success.

01:04The current squad, which includes several experienced players, has been developing for

01:10five years.

01:12Welsh's return to National Leagues cap off a remarkable season, where they lost just

01:17one game against title challengers Jersey RFC and scored a staggering 991 points, 200

01:25more than Jersey.

01:27Griffiths credits the volunteers and the clear pathway they created for the club's return

01:32to the Nationals, which has taken years of hard work and perseverance.

01:38While the club's overseas recruits, including former Manly Marlins star Tom Douglas and

01:43captain Byron Leach, have bolstered the squad, Griffiths maintains that the club's focus

01:49remains on building for the future, not chasing top-tier leagues like the Premiership.

01:57Looking ahead, London Welsh's upcoming celebration day on April 5th will mark their achievement

02:02and provide an opportunity for fans to join the festivities.

02:07The club is eager to continue its rise, with an eye on long-term success and stability.

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