SAM TOMKINS is the latest addition to the Barbarians’ squad for the Killik Cup match against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday 26 November.

The impressive Wigan full-back will complete a unique double by playing against the pride of Australian rugby from both codes on successive weekends. Last Saturday the 22-year-old featured for England against the Australian Kangaroos in the Four Nations’ Final at Elland Road, Leeds; seven days later he dons the famous black-and-white shirt of the Barbarians against Australia’s Wallabies in front of a 50,000-plus crowd at Twickenham.

Confirming the invitation, Barbarians’ commercial director Mike Burton said: “We are delighted that Sam, with the support of the coaches and management at Wigan, has accepted this opportunity to play in such a high-profile union match. The Barbarian club has a tradition of thinking outside the circle when inviting players with league backgrounds, and usually to everyone’s benefit.”

He added: “In recent years the likes of Mat Rogers, Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and, a few months ago,Willie Mason, have all made a mark when playing for us on the big stage. We are confident that Sam will be equal to the challenge this week.”

Ian Lenagan, chairman and owner of Wigan said: “The Wigan club and Sam are very pleased to accept the Barbarians’ invitation. Sam is an exceptional player in either code of rugby and his selection shows the growing mutual respect between the codes of rugby league and rugby union in England.  It’s a great opportunity for Sam to experience the Twickenham atmosphere and showcase his talents on another major stage.”

The Barbarians will be coached by Graham Henry and Steve Hansen who will select their starting line-up from a 22-man squad which promises to be one of the most experienced representative sides ever assembled. The players, drawn from 10 different countries, share an astonishing 1000-plus test caps between them.

The latest additions to the multi-national party include Italy’s Mauro Bergomasco (88 caps), Salvatore Perugini (83) and Marco Bortolami (88), France’s Sylvain Marconnet (84), Scotland’s Jason White (77) and Ireland’s Peter Stringer (98).

They join a squad that already had Springbok lock legend Victor Matfield, with 110 international matches under his belt, before making his final big-match appearance against the Wallabies. Two years ago Matfield captained the Barbarians to victory over the All Blacks.

Sonny Bill Williams has withdrawn because of a hamstring injury and is replaced by another of New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup squad, Richard Kahui, while further additions are Fiji’s Seru Rabeni and Nemia Kenatale.

Stephen Jones has been withdrawn from the squad as he is required by the Scarlets for their match against Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday evening.

Barbarians’ secretary Alan Evans explained: “We had very positive talks with the coaching staff at the Scarlets. They fully appreciated the honour it would have been for Stephen to play for us at this stage of his distinguished career but unfortunately their fixture commitments next weekend must take precedence.”

Mr Evans also confirmed that other Welsh players previously announced would not be available for the Barbarians as they will be in training camp ahead of Wales’ own match against Australia seven days later.

He said: “Obviously we are disappointed that they can’t play for us on this occasion but we also realise that the Welsh regions and the Welsh Rugby Union’s hierarchy have been incredibly supportive of us for similar matches in recent years. We look forward to inviting these players, and others, again in the near future.”

Barbarians squad:

Sam Tomkins (England RL), Bryan Habana (South Africa), Isaia Toeava (New Zealand), Robbie Fruean (Crusaders), Stirling Mortlock (Australia), Richard Kahui (New Zealand), Seru Rabeni (Fiji),  Danny Cipriani (England), Peter Stringer (Ireland), Nemia Kenatale (Fiji), Keven Mealamu (New Zealand), Adriaan Strauss (South Africa), Salvatore Perugini (Italy), Sylvain Marconnet (France), Eusebio Guinazu (Argentina), Victor Matfield (South Africa), Simon Shaw (England), Marco Bortolami (Italy), Jason White (Scotland), Jerome Kaino (New Zealand), Adam Thomson (New Zealand), Mauro Bergamasco (Italy).

The captain will be announced when the squad assembles in London on 22 November.

Shane Williams, who has announced his retirement from international rugby, plays his final match in Welsh colours, but the game is also billed as a ‘homecoming’ for the Wales squad which boosted national pride by reaching the RWC semi-finals in New Zealand and is a re-match of the tournament’s third-placed play-off game, which saw the Wallabies victorious last month.

Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees, who was originally set to lead Wales in New Zealand before withdrawing through injury, returns to the squad alongside two other players who featured in head coach Warren Gatland’s preliminary RWC training squad – Blues prop Scott Andrews and Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric,

Ospreys pair Dan Biggar and Ian Evans both return to the international fold, with 22-year-old fly-half Biggar set to add to his eight caps after last featuring for Wales in November 2010 against Fiji.

Lock Evans, 27, made his last appearance three years ago, against New Zealand in November 2008 at Millennium Stadium,and will bid to add to the 16 caps which saw him make his debut on tour to Argentina in 2006 and earned him a Grand Slam winners medal with four RBS 6 Nations appearances in 2008.

Elsewhere three uncapped players join Wales’ RWC stars, Dragons flanker Lewis Evans, Blues wing Alex Cuthbert and Scarlets full-back Liam Williams all look to make their Wales and Millennium Stadium debuts.

“As we have gone with the majority of our Rugby World Cup squad we have maintained continuity by selecting Sam again as captain for this game, but it is a significant boost for us to have someone of the experience and stature of Matthew Rees back in the squad which, in turn, means there is considerable competition in the hooker’s position with both Huw Bennett and Lloyd Burns also with us,”said Gatland.

“The fans have a chance to show the players how proud they are of them after their World Cup performances and it should be quite an occasion at the Millennium Stadium, especially with the Shane Williams factor thrown in, but we won’t be sitting back and soaking up the atmosphere – Shane will want to go out in style and this squad wants to, and needs to, get back to winning ways.

“We have another chance to beat a Southern Hemisphere team, which is always a yardstick by which we measure ourselves, we have the opportunity to avenge the play-off defeat in New Zealand, but we can also send a message to our Six Nations opponents next year, that our RWC performances should not be seen in isolation and this young squad will continue to be a force to be reckoned with as we build to the next world cup in 2015.”

Welsh qualified players based overseas were not made available for selection.

Wales squad, Dove Men Challenge v Australia (alphabetical order)

FORWARDS: Scott Andrews, Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Lloyd Burns, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Lewis Evans, Toby Faletau, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Ryan Jones, Danny Lydiate, Matthew Rees, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton (Captain)

BACKS: Dan Biggar, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Tavis Knoyle, George North, Rhys Priestland, Jamie Roberts, Liam Williams, Lloyd Williams, Scott Williams, Shane Williams

WALES SQUAD

Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)

DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs

International record: 82 caps (W 37, L 43, D 2; 20 pts – 4T)

Adam JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)

DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs

International record: 75 caps (W 35, L 37, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,081)

DoB: 9.12.88. 6’0”/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs

International record: 6 caps (W 3, L 3)

Scott ANDREWS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,083)

DoB: 01.08.89. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 7lbs / 117kgs

International record: 1 cap (L 1)

Lloyd BURNS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,085)

DoB: 09.12.84. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs

International record: 7 caps (W 4, L 3; 5 pts – 1T)

Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)

DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs

International record: 48 caps (W 23, L 24, D 1)

Matthew REES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,033)

DoB: 09.12.80. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 1lbs / 108kgs

International record: 47 caps (W 20, L 26, D 1; 10 pts – 2T)

Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)

DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs

International record: 31 caps (W 14, L 16, D 1)

Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,030)

DoB: 09.03.83. 6’9” / 2.06m. 19st 10lbs / 125kgs

International record: 32 caps (W 16, L 16)

Ian EVANS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,045)

DoB: 04.10.84. 6’8” / 2.04m. 18st 3lbs / 116kgs

International record: 16 caps (W 6, L 9, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)

DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs

International record: 23 caps (W 12, L 11; 10 pts – 2T)

Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)

DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs

International record: 19 caps (W 8, L 10, D 1)

Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,086)

DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2” 15st 10lbs / 100kgs

International record: 1 cap (W 1)

Lewis EVANS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Uncapped)

DoB: 09.07.87. 1.94m / 6’4”. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs
International record: Uncapped

Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)

DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 10 caps (W 5, L 5; 10 pts – 2T)

Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)

DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 57 caps (W 28, L 27, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,076)

DoB: 02.06.90. 6’1” / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs

International record: 6 caps (W 3, L 3)

Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,087)

DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 4 caps (W 3, L 1; 10 pts – 2T)

Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)

DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 9 caps (W 6, L 3; 42 pts – 12C, 6PG)

Dan BIGGAR (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,063)

DoB: 16.10.89. 6’2” / 1.88m. 14st 1lbs / 89kgs

International record: 8 caps (W 4, L 3, D 1; 52 pts – 8C, 12PG)

Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)

DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 38 caps (W 18, L 20; 20 pts – 4T)

Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)

DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs

International record: 21 caps (W 11, L 10; 25 pts – 5T)

Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)

DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs

International record: 7 caps (W 4, L 3; 20 pts – 4T)

Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)

DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7” / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs

International record: 86 caps (W 41, L 43, D 2; 285 pts – 57T)

George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)

DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

International record: 15 caps (W 6, L 8, D 1; 45 pts – 9T)

Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES – Uncapped)

DoB: 05.04.90. 6’6” / 1.98m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

International record: Uncapped

Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)

DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs

International record: 26 caps (W 12, L 14; 72 pts – 9T, 9PG)

Liam WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

DoB:09.04.91. 6’2” / 1.88m. 13st 5lbs / 85kgs

International record: Uncapped

Sharks’ Executive Director of Sport Steve Diamond said, “Sam joined us in the Summer and has been outstanding at training, leading by example and motivating others. He has captaincy experience from his Auckland days. It was a difficult decision – there were three or four lads who ‘stuck their hands in the air’ and wanted to be captain – but we thought that Sam would be here with us and not be playing in internationals. That was one of the considerations with the new team and the new environment at the club: it’s the right way.

“We’re not having vice captains. If Sam is unavailable, we’ll pick a captain as we go forward. We’ve got two other leaders in the group – Joe Ward and Nick Macleod – who are our ‘governors’. They look after discipline for us and that’s how it works out for the team.”

Sam Cane progressed under the guidance of the Ian Foster led Chiefs to make his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs this year when he was called in as a replacement player from the Chiefs Wider Training Group.

A product of Reporoa College, Cane has come through the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Academy and Age Group programme and was a member of the Chiefs’ Schools Under 18 team in 2009.  He played for the BOP Steamers in the ITM Cup in 2010 and 2011 and became part of the Chiefs Wider Training Group and Development Team in 2011.  Cane was recently one of three nominations for the IRB Junior Player of the Year. 

Retallick (a 204 cm, 115kg lock), started for the New Zealand U-20 side in the IRB Junior World Championship Final alongside Cane in Italy earlier this year. 

Chiefs Head Coach Dave Rennie said “Sam and Brodie were two of the best performers at the U20 World Cup and we are rapt they have committed to the Chiefs. They both have big tickers, a fantastic work ethic and will hopefully wear the Chiefs jersey for many years to come.”                

Sam commented “I’m very pleased to have signed with the Chiefs.  It has been a goal of mine growing up.  I got a taste of the environment last season and really enjoyed it.  I believe there are exciting times ahead for the Chiefs and look forward to being involved in that”.                               

Brodie commented “I’m very excited to be playing Super Rugby for the Chiefs next season. It’s a great opportunity to further my rugby development in a professional environment with world class coaches. 2011 has been an exciting year so far with the NZU20’s and compressed ITM Cup and I’m looking forward to making the step up to Super Rugby in 2012.”

Chiefs CEO Gary Dawson commented “It is pleasing to both help develop and retain Sam and attract Brodie to play for the Chiefs as highly promising young players in New Zealand rugby and we look forward to Sam and Brodie progressing further and being a big part of the Chiefs future".

With 51 days to go to Rugby World Cup 2011 this is the first opportunity to see the All Blacks in action this year. The season opening Test is also the anchor for a number of initiatives aimed at raising funds and showing support for the people of Canterbury following February’s devastating earthquake.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said New Zealand Rugby and many of our partners have joined together to create some great initiatives aimed at supporting Canterbury’s continued rebuild.

“We will host some very special guests from Christchurch at the Test. Our ‘First XV’ were chosen from hundreds of nominees for deserving Cantabrians sent into the Christchurch Press.”

“After everything the people of Christchurch have been going through it’s a privilege to reward this group and their friends and partners with a night out and a first chance to see the All Blacks,” he said.

One excited pair is father and son, Damian and Sam Curtain, from Burwood. Damian nominated his rugby mad 11-year old because the earthquakes had disrupted their normal routine and they were missing their usual Canterbury, Crusaders and All Blacks games.

The proud coach of his son’s Shirley RFC Under 11 rugby team reckons Sam has been smiling for days about the trip and is excited about meeting some All Blacks legends.

Since the September earthquake forced St Paul’s to close Sam’s now attending his third school.

“You just work around a lot of things in this situation but it has been hard on the kids, who’re coping pretty good,” he added.

The evening’s entertainment includes Invercargill born and Christchurch raised singer Jason Kerrison performing his band OPSHOP’s tribute to his home city ‘Love Will Always Win’ and the number one hit ‘One Day’. All proceeds from the tribute single are going to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. He’ll be joined by 75 pupils from Balmacewen Intermediate School who will be flying the flag for Canterbury in a very special routine to unite the South Island in support of Canterbury.

Jason will also perform the New Zealand anthem while Pacific icon and international soloist Lapi Mariner will perform the Fijian Anthem.

Fans are encouraged to turn up by 6pm to catch the curtain raiser and cheer on six young South Island Rippa Rugby teams – including New Brighton and Burnside from Christchurch. Air New Zealand will be transporting the two Christchurch teams in their “Crazy About Rugby” campervans.  The Rippa Rugby action culminates in a final at approximately 7.05pm. 

Other initiatives to support Canterbury

• NZRU is donating all net profits from ticket sales to Canterbury recovery efforts, with the majority distributed through the Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
  
• Donating some to the All Blacks official charities, Plunket and KidsCan
  
• Fans at Carisbrook and watching the game on television wishing to make a donation will be able to text 993 to donate $3
  

The match should have been played in December, but Newport were unable to travel to Devon due to bad weather in south Wales.

Unfortunately, now neither Albion nor Newport can progress through to the quarter-finals of the competition.

However, Albion’s chairman of rugby Graham Dawe, whose team have faced tough away trips to Leinster, Cornish Pirates and Worcester in their opening three games, still believes tonight’s the Anglo-Welsh clash will be a competitive affair.

The teams played out a 3-3 draw when they met at Rodney Parade in the cup last season and Albion claimed a narrow one point win when Newport last visited Brickfields in August 2009.

"Although the game won’t have a say on the quarter-final places, I think it will be competitive for the full 80 minutes," said Dawe.

"We will be looking to create a great atmosphere tonight at Brickfields."

Albion will hand first home starts to youngsters Rupert Freestone, Sam Matavesi, Max Venables and Jamie Tripcony.

Teeanger hooker Freestone made his first appearance in an Albion shirt at the weekend against Worcester Warriors at Sixway.

However, Albion, who have an important league match had Doncaster on Saturday, have named the experienced Ryan Hopkins, Tom Skelding, Wayne Sprangle, Sam Hocking, Fionn McLoughlin and Cameron Mitchell in their side. They have also have plenty of exeperience players on the bench for the match.

Tickets for the match can be purchased on the gate starting at £1 for children and £14 for adults.

Albion: M Venables, F McLoughlin, C Mitchell, S Johns, J Coleman, M Lee, T Kessell, M Manton, R Freestone, R Hopkins, J Tripcony, T Skelding, W Sprangle, S Matavesi, S Hocking. Reps: R Cushion, A Davies, K Hallett, D Morton, A Carpenter, D Collier, S-M Stephen.

The former Bath and Bristol back has been plying his trade in Italy and is a former teammate of Bees Fly-Half Mark Woodrow. Having also played alongside Bees’ Director of Rugby, Russell Earnshaw during his Bath days, Cox will have some familiar faces in the Bees dressing room to greet his arrival.

“I just felt we needed a little bit more experience in the backs, especially with the Playoffs on the horizon,” explained Russell Earnshaw. “I’ve known Sam for a number of years and he has Premiership experience to draw upon, which will be invaluable going into the crunch part of the season. He was playing in Italy and was looking for an opportunity to come home and we’re delighted to have him on board”.

Bees’ weekend visit to Llandovery in the B&I Cup will most likely come too soon for the club’s latest recruit, but he could well feature in the squad travelling to Moseley for the Championship clash on Saturday 29th January.

Blues starting line-up:

15. Edd Thrower
14. Handre Schmidt
13. Brendan Burke
12. Tom Bedford
11. Josh Bassett
10. Jake Sharp
9. Will Chudley

1. Laurence Ovens
2. Dan Richmond (c)
3. Phil Boulton
4. Sean Tomes
5. Alex Rae
6. Ben Lewitt
7. Will Fraser
8. Paul Tupai

Replacements: 16. Joe Clark, 17. Sam Walsh, 18. Gregor Gillanders, 19. Chris Goodman, 20. Nick Walshe, 21. Myles Dorrian, 22. Ollie Dodge.

Swansea starting line-up

15 James Garland
14 Nicky Thomas
13 Chris Shelmerdine
12 David Watts
11 Nicky Harwood
10 James Dixon
9 Rhodri Wells

1 Lee May
2 Paul John
3 Andrew Clatworthy
4 Ben Fox
5 Sam Kiley
6 James Bija
7 Sam Lewis
8 Steffan Jones

Replacements: 16 Alun Rees, 17 Roy Jones, 18 Paul Arnold, 19 Tom Morgan, 20 Phillip Tucker, 21 Luke Hathaway, 22 Lloyd Thomas

Stephen Keogh kicked off the scoring for the hosts in a hard fought game, with out-half Ian McKinley adding the points.

With the Leinster pack dominant it was inevitable that the next try would come from a forward and the impressive Eoin Sheriff delivered.

Leinster were on the ascendency and Academy scrum-half John Cooney and Michael Keating each crossed, with McKinley chipping in with a penalty, as Leinster secured their second successive victory in the competition.

Albion’s only try came from replacement and ex Leinster man Robin Copeland late in the game, with Mark Lee kicking 11 points.

LEINSTER:

15: Niall Morris
14: Sam Coghlan-Murray (Michael Sherlock, 78)
13: Brendan Macken (Darren Hudson, 46)
12: Noel Reid
11: Michael Keating
10: Ian McKinley
9: John Cooney (Peter du Toit, 78)

1: Jack McGrath
2: Aaron Dundon (David Doyle, 61)
3: Stewart Maguire (Ben Prescott, 58)
4: Eoin Sheriff (Mark Flanagan, 78)
5: Ed O’Donoghue
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Jordi Murphy
8: Stephen Keogh (Ben Marshall, 78)

PLYMOUTH ALBION:

15: Mark Lee
14: Fionn McLoughlin
13: Cameron Mitchell
12: Steve Johns
11: Johnny Coleman
10: Kieran Hallett
9: Ruairi Cushion

1: David Morton
2: Gavin O’Meara
3: Ryan Hopkins
4: Dan Collier
5: Sean-Michael Stephens CAPTAIN
6: Wayne Sprangle
7: Sam Matavesi
8: Aaron Carpenter

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Tom Kessell
17: Alex Davies
18: Rory Watts-Jones
19: George Porter
20: Gareth Evans
21: Robin Copeland
22: Sam Hocking

The former Exiles kicked all but five of their side’s points, with Ulph landing what proved to be the winning penalty 13 minutes from time.

The win ended Esher’s run of three matches without a victory, while ending Welsh’s two-match winning run, and the Exiles will have to wait until December 27 for the chance to extract revenge.

When Whitehead spilt Gordon Ross’ straight forward kick it was an indication, if any were needed, of the testing conditions both sides faced at a rain sodden Molesey Road.

Errie Claassens’ half break caught Esher offside and Ross turned down the chance to go for the posts, to nudge the ball into the corner, but Welsh couldn’t turn the opportunity into points as they were penalised for accidental offside.

It fell upon Whitehead to open the scoring, after an overthrown Welsh lineout was gratefully accepted by Sam Stitcher and the Exiles were caught offside.

But Welsh wiped that penalty out within minutes when Hudson Tonga’uiha found a gap, drew Whitehead and released Liam Gibson to race clear. Ross added the extras.

Whitehead immediately cut the deficit to a point with his second penalty but when David Slemen put a testing the ball in behind the Exiles, Josh Drauniniu had the pace to win Johnny Hylton to touch down.

Welsh’s attempts to play the game at pace were being frustrated, while Slemen and Whitehead were kicking intelligently.

Claassens produced one scintillating break from under his own posts, but Welsh were struggling to build a period of concerted pressure.

Esher, though, were beginning to get the upper hand and their forwards barged their way up to the Welsh line.

A succession of penalties saw Whitehead probe the corner and although Martin Purdy produced one excellent steal, Esher pressure eventually told when Epi Taione was caught offside in front of his own posts and Whitehead edged Esher ahead.

Esher were playing for territory and playing it well, and when the ball broke loose as Gibson was forced back on half way, it was hacked and Robert Anderson dived on it.

Shawn Renwick fed Hylton and although Ben Stevenson produced a try saving tackle, Renwick drove over from close range. Whitehead added a superb conversion close to the left hand touchline and added three more when Welsh were penalised at a scrum on their own 22, despite Taione having just returned to the field to swell the Exiles’ pack.

Welsh needed half time to regroup and whatever was said looked to have had the desired effect when the Exiles’ early pressure was rewarded with a Ross penalty.

The Exiles were immediately back in the Esher 22 thanks to two fine touch finders from Claassens, giving the home side a taste of their own first half medicine.

With Welsh pressing, Esher then lost the excellent Whitehead to injury, but the frustration was beginning to build for the visitors as they struggled to turn possession and dominance in the scrums into points.

Slemen’s cross field kick forced Josh Drauninu to concede a lineout and in their eagerness to win back possession Welsh were penalised. With Whitehead off it was another former Dragon, Ulph, who stepped up, only to see his kick hit the right hand upright.

Three minutes later, though, from an almost identical spot, Ulph curled over what would prove the winning penalty after Welsh were adjudged to have taken out the jumper at the lineout.

Welsh needed a response and they needed it quickly, and Ross provided it with two penalties in the space of a minute. No sooner had Esher looked to have established a winning lead than it was a one score game again.

Welsh’s tails were up and a 50-metre Claassens break took the Exiles back to where they needed to be. The Exiles had upped the tempo with Esher firmly on the back foot.

Aled Thomas had the chance to level the scores, only to see his attempt shave the right hand upright. A couple of penalties took Welsh up to the Esher line and their forwards pounded away, but the Esher defence held firm and time was not the Exiles’ friend as they slipped to their second away defeat of the season.

Esher scorers:
Try: Renwick; Con: Whitehead; Pens: Whitehead (4), Ulph (4).

London Welsh scorers:
Try: Gibson; Con: Ross; Pens: Ross (4).

Esher: Chris Whitehead, Sam Ulph, Philip MacKenzie, Arran Cruickshanks, Jonny Hylton, David Slemen, Clive Stuart-Smith, David Millard, Kevin Corrigan, Ricky Nebbett, Robert Anderson, Rudzki Karl, Luke Wallace, Sam Stitcher, Shawn Renwick.

Replacements: Samuel Smith for Whitehead (54min), Christopher York for Renwick (58min), Paul Barker for Rudzki (80+1min).

Replacements not used: Timothy Tunnicliff, Alexander Walker, Neil Taylor, Andrew Garner.

London Welsh: Errie Claassens, Liam Gibson, Hudson Tonga’uiha, Simon Whatling, Josh Drauniniu, Gordon Ross, Ben Stevenson, Michael Holford, Marc Breeze, Shawn Pittman, Martin Purdy, Matt Corker, Ben Russell, Michael Hills, Epi Taione.

Replacements: Nick Runciman for Stevenson (61min), Lee Beach for Taione (63min), Lorne Ward for Holford (69min), Dominic Shabbo for Whatling (70min), Aled Thomas for Ross (70min), Vili Ma’asi for Breeze (79min).

Replacement not used: Mike Powell.

Yellow card: Epi Taione (31min).

Officials: Ref – Martin Fox; TJ’s Paul Kimber & Gareth Copsy.
Half-time: 19-10