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.
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.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
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.