The Exiles’ late fight back against Bristol last weekend at Old Deer Park may have come too late to prevent them going down to a 26-20 defeat, but it did secure Lyn Jones’ men the point they needed to guarantee a third consecutive Championship semi-final appearance.

Welsh, though, will first need to take care of business against Meadow Lane – a ground where they’ve already tasted defeat this season.

The Exiles were comprehensively beaten 26-10 when they travelled to Nottingham in December, with Ed Jackson crossing late on for Welsh’s solitary try.

That defeat brought to an end a three consecutive wins for the Exiles at Meadow Lane, stretching back to the 2009/10 play-offs, when they won 17-10.

Welsh also came out on top 27-13 at Nottingham during the 2010/11 play-offs, having also recorded a 27-21 victory at Nottingham during the regular season.

When the two sides met earlier in Pool A, the Exiles came out on top 32-31 thanks to three tries in a nine-minute purple patch from James Lewis, Nick Scott and Adam Brown saw Welsh secure a round 1 victory.

London Welsh: 15. Alex Davies, 14. Joe Ajuwa, 13. James Lewis, 12. Hudson Tonga’uiha*, 11. Nick Scott, 10. Gordon Ross* ©, 9. Jack Moates, 1. Shawn Pittman*, 2. Dan George, 3. James Tideswell, 4. Adam Brown, 5. Matt Corker, 6. Lee Beach, 7. Mike Denbee, 8. Ed Jackson.

Replacements: 16. Vili Ma’asi*, 17. Tom French, 18. Greg Bateman, 19. Gary Johnson, 20. Jon Mills, 21. Rob Lewis, 22. Seb Jewell.

* Denotes full international

The Head Coach makes eight changes from the side that secured a spot in the semi-finals with a 26-20 win over London Welsh last weekend.

George Watkins returns to the starting line up for his first appearance since the 65-3 victory over Brett Davey’s men on the opening day of the play-off campaign.

Jon Goodridge returns in place of Sean Marsden at full-back, while Tom Slater forms a half-back partnership with Matthew Jones.

In the pack, Mark Lilley comes in for his first start in Bristol colours alongside Jason Harris-Wright and Wayne Thompson.

Ben Glynn is named in the second row alongside former Knight Glen Townson, while James Merriman recovers from injury sustained against Nottingham to line up on the flank.

Middleton names a strong replacements bench, with Louis Silver and Will Davis included in the 22-man squad.

Bristol Rugby team to face Doncaster Knights at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday, 21 April (3pm KO):

Jon Goodridge; George Watkins, Fautua Otto, Luke Eves, Will Helu; Matthew Jones, Tom Slater; Mark Lilley, Jason Harris-Wright, Wayne Thompson, Ben Glynn, Glen Townson, Iain Grieve (c), James Merriman, Dan Montagu.
Replacements: Rhys Lawrence, Will Davis, Mariano Sambucetti, Henry Vanderglas, Redford Pennycook, Louis Silver, Matty James.

With just three scheduled league games remaining for the Devon club, Baxter knows his side still have plenty to play for as they look to secure not only a possible place in next season’s Heineken Cup competition but, potentially, a spot in the division’s end of season play-offs.

Currently lying fifth in the standings, just three points adrift of next best Northampton Saints, the Chiefs head for Worcester Warriors tomorrow (3pm) in search of their 12th league victory.

Having defeated the Midlanders 15-9 at Sandy Park earlier in the season, Exeter’s experienced leader knows his side can expect a stiff examination from last season’s Championship winners.

"It’s a very important game for us," said Baxter. "The reality, as we’ve said to the players, is that we are now at the business end of the season and we’re still fighting for things. A week ago we were in Paris fighting in a quarter-final of a European Cup competition – and now were fighting to see if we can establish ourselves either in the Heineken Cup or that top four.

"Saturday is another great opportunity for us, but the key is not to look too far ahead of ourselves and instead concentrate fully on Worcester. We know going up there will be a very tough game because they have a very good home record; defensively they are very strong; they play with good spirit and they want to prove to people that they have set some very solid foundations within the Premiership.

"Let us not forget they won a pretty tough Championship play-off scenario last season and we know how tough that was. We also know from our own experiences how good that can be in building a good team, a good culture and good team spirit. The reality for us, however, is we know it’s going to be tough, but that’s probably just what we need.

"We’ve spoken as a group that if you’re going to be in the fight at this stage of the season, you’re going to have a lot of tough games. They’re going to be like knockout cup games, so if we aspire to be a team that wants to be in these games, this is the type of fixture you need to perform in."

In the December meeting between the two sides, it was Argentine fly-half Ignacio Mieres who proved the match winner for the Chiefs as he slotted five successful penalties in a keenly contested contest.

Baxter expects this latest showdown to be just as tough, warning: "It was a tough old game down here; a lot of battering went on by both sides and ultimately goal kicks were what decided the scenario. For us, though, it’s about us talking about being ambitious and then following it through on the pitch. Right now we are enjoying how we are playing, we’re enjoying getting after games, and we’re talking about the things we can achieve. That, I believe, has to be our mantra for the rest of the season.

"I know if we get after a game we’re a good side, then we just have to be prepared to take the result on the chin. The only thing that will disappoint me with the Worcester game is if we don’t go up there and attack the game. If we go up there, we’re nervy and we worry that we still need points to get into the Heineken or if we start worrying about things like that, you’re never going to perform well. As far as I am concerned, I want us to get out there enjoy the game, maximise our inputs and then take whatever comes."

Against a star-studded Stade Francais side a week ago, the Chiefs came within a whisker of booking themselves a place in the last four of the Amlin Challenge Cup. Sadly it was not to be on the night for Baxter and his troops, but the coach insisted there were plenty of positives to take from the game and that lessons had been learned.

"Although we were disappointed to lose the game, it was another important step in our development," added Baxter. "We’ve gone to a good team, who put out a very strong side against us, away from home and we’ve performed very well. I suppose it’s a stage in our development that we’ve gone over there, created as many chances as we did, but not quite taken them.

"As we said last season, we were on a big learning curve and that we would learn from those experiences and I suppose it’s the same this season. I know as a group we are still improving and games like that at Stade Francais, this weekend at Worcester and those games down the line, they are all fantastic to be involved in.

"We have to remember that this is still only our second season as Premiership side and that we are still looking to develop. Of course we enjoy these moments when they come along because we have worked so hard to get them, but at the same time we don’t get too dispirited if things don’t always turn out right. This happens in professional sport and we are well aware things can still go against you. Right now we’re in a nice place in nice place, we’re not too battered, the grounds are firming up and we’re enjoying it."

Ahead of kick-off, Baxter has been forced into change in his starting line-up. Welsh international Craig Mitchell injured his shoulder during the Stade game, so Hoani Tui moves across the front-row to fill the void at tight-head and Ben Moon is promoted from the bench. Brett Sturgess – who broke his arm in the home game against Leicester Tigers in February – is added to the squad.

The other change comes in the back where Luke Arscott returns for the first time since the Perpignan game in January at full-back. Phil Dollman, who has replaced Arscott in the No.15 jersey, slots into the midfield alongside Bryan Rennie as Jason Shoemark is ruled out with injury.

TEAM

15 Luke Arscott

14 Gonzalo Camacho

13 Bryan Rennie

12 Phil Dollman

11 Matt Jess

10 Ignacio Mieres

9 Haydn Thomas

1 Ben Moon

2 Chris Whitehead

3 Hoani Tui

4 Tom Hayes (capt)

5 James Hanks

6 Tom Johnson

7 James Scaysbrook

8 Richard Baxter

16 Neil Clark

17 Brett Sturgess

18 Chris Budgen

19 Aly Muldowney

20 Ben White

21 Kevin Barrett

22 Gareth Steenson

23 Sireli Naqelevuki

Indeed, the Exiles could secure their place in the last four this weekend if they can make it nine straight wins over the Knights and Bristol take the points against Nottingham at the Memorial Stadium this evening.

However, Welsh can ill afford a repeat of their first half performance against the Knights at Old Deer Park last Saturday, which forced Lyn Jones’ side to dig deep in the second half to eventually come out on top 34-24.

The visitors had led 19-12 and three tries to nil at the break, but second half tries from Dan George, Nick Scott and Hudson Tonga’uiha, together with 19 points from the boot of full back Alex Davies, maintained the Exiles’ unbeaten start to Pool A.

Welsh completed the double over the Knights in the regular season, when they followed up their 21-10 win at Castle Park with a 37-14 mid-week win at Old Deer Park last month. Jack Moates scoring the pick of the Exiles’ five tries.

The Exiles came out on top 29-24 last season and recorded a 26-10 victory in the sides 2009/10 play-off meeting.

Doncaster last tasted victory over Welsh in October 2009 when they won 20-9 at Old Deer Park.

London Welsh: 15. Alex Davies, 14. Nick Scott, 13. James Lewis, 12. Hudson Tonga’uiha*, 11. Joe Ajuwa, 10. Gordon Ross* ©, 9. Ben Stevenson, 1. Tom French, 2. Vili Ma’asi*, 3. Greg Bateman, 4. Gary Johnson, 5. Adam Brown, 6. Lee Beach, 7. Mike Denbee, 8. Ed Jackson.

Replacements: 16. Dan George, 17. Shawn Pittman*, 18. James Tideswell, 19. Matt Corker, 20. Ben Russell, 21. Jack Moates, 22. Simon Whatling.

* Denotes full international

MIKE SCHMID is backing revitalised Esher to handle the heat of the relegation play-offs and secure their place in the Championship next season.

Esher take on local rivals London Scottish at home on Saturday in the first play-offs clash brimming with confidence after finishing the regular season with three straight wins.

The showdown is the first of six home and away games between Esher, Scottish, Plymouth and Moseley to determine who drops into National One.

Esher’s injury-ravaged side looked doomed for most of the campaign but the return to fitness of key players has seen them claim four wins in the last seven weeks.

That gives them four points going into the play-offs, just two behind their rivals, but with the momentum firmly behind Schmid’s side.

Now Schmid believes his side can avoid the drop with the psychological advantage of beating both Scottish and Plymouth in recent week.

Director of Rugby Schmid said: “The boys are very positive that we can get through this and be successful and build. They are looking forward to it.

“There is a fantastic mentality within the squad and our leadership and character is reality starting to show.

“We have got six World Cup finals coming at us but the big thing is to keep to the game plan, no matter whether we’re winning or losing. We have just got to keep doing what we know is successful.

“I think virtually for the first time this year we are leaving players out that we actually can’t believe we would be leaving on the bench. We’re at a stage when we are at our healthiest all season so we don’t have any excuses.

“The good thing is we’ve proved what works over the last few weeks but we’ve got to make sure that under pressure we execute properly.

“We haven’t really talked a lot about the pressure. It’s just another game. Everyone knows what’s at stake but we’re just purely looking at process, how we do things and how we can improve, what we need to do to be successful.

“You saw us earlier in the season chasing games and playing high-risk rugby at times to get that magical try whereas over the last few weeks we have built scores. We now have the confidence in what we are doing.”

Esher finished ninth in the Championship last season and topped the relegation play-off group with four wins from six but Schmid believes three wins could be enough to survive.

He said: “Anyone who wins four out of six will definitely we through and probably three of the six as well because someone will probably only win two.

“You need a bit of luck with injuries, with the bounce of the ball, with refereeing decisions but you kind of earn that with how you are playing.

“The good thing is we have beaten two out of the other three teams very recently so there is a bit of confidence from that.

“But we have been playing under pressure for months, trying to get our first win and trying to get our game together and trying to get players back off the injury list. But the boys are through that now so I’m not sure of that is going to bother them whether we win or lose our first game.

“You lose your first one you’re not out of it; win and you’re not through it. Having said that, this will be our first chance all year to get off the bottom.

“ It’s at home so we are hoping to get a good crowd here because the guys respond to that and the boys deserve that with the way they have played recently.

“It’s a huge game for me, the players and the club. But if we win it, we’re not done. But what we did really well last year in the play-offs was going away and winning our first game.

“I think by doing that it took the pressure off and these play-offs are about handling pressure, playing with pressure and closing games out when it’s tight and I would expect most games to be tight. “

Esher will lose around £300,000 in RFU funding if they are relegated and Schmid is desperate to avoid the drop so he can keep his best players and strengthen in a bid to avoid the relegation lottery in the future.

He said: “If you want to build and improve you have got to retain your core players and as a part-time club a lot of that is based about financial resources inevitably.

“The club’s vision is to be a sustainable Championship rugby club. If we can keep this group of players healthy and keep them together, and add some key people in key positions, we can achieve that.

“If we are shooting for that vision, it’s massive that we stay in the league. If you go down you lose a huge amount of funding, over £300,000, so for a club like us that’s a huge figure so the repercussions are that you lose a number of players.”

Schmid admits he is grateful to the Esher board for the faith they have shown in him this season despite spending the entire campaign rooted to the foot of the table.

He added: “For me the fantastic thing is that the board are very understanding of what we are able to achieve, what our resources are, both financial and human, and of course all our issues with injuries.

“They have talked to people, myself and players included, just to make sure that everything is on the right track and if anything can be done.

“Is there pressure on me? There is always pressure on me as coach whether you are winning or losing but the board have been brilliant and as supportive as they possibly can be.

“Nobody likes to front a losing side but thankfully they are great rugby people and understand the game and that was one of the reasons I chose this club in the first place. In today’s coaching environment you need that.

“Hopefully the last six years have been very successful for the club with me here, which may or may not buy you a bit more time than otherwise would have been the case.

“I think it goes to the character of the guys who are on the top that they have faith in the players and the coaches. We owe them and the only way we can repay them is by playing our best rugby now.”

Team to play Scottish

15 Ross Chisholm

14 Seb Stegmann

13 Tom Cheeseman

12 Arran Cruickshanks

11 Phil Mackenzie

10 Mark Atkinson

9 Clive Stuart-Smith

1 Dave Millard

2 James Campbell

3 Ingacio Elosu

4 Ian Kench

5 James Inglis

6 Sam Stitcher (Capt.)

7 Peter Synnott

8 Mike Macfarlane

Replacements

16 Will Collier (FR)

17 Tom Alexander

18 Matt Symons

19 Kevin Corrigan (FR)

20 Nicky Little

21 Luke Daniels

22 Patrick O’Grady

Welsh get their Pool A play-off campaign underway against Nottingham on Saturday at Old Deer Park (kick-off 12:30pm), and having reached the semi-finals in the last two seasons the club will be hoping that it’s a case of third time lucky.

The Exiles’ fourth place finish to the regular season sees them also pooled with table topping Bristol and Doncaster Knights.

“I don’t have to say anything to the players, it’s six cup finals and they know they have to play,” said Jones. “They know how important it is for the club.

“It’s a huge challenge for us and it’s going to be interesting to see how well we play.
We’ve managed to put some really good rugby together, but it hasn’t been consistent enough to take us to the top of the league where Bristol deserved to be.”

While some have been ticking off the weeks in countdown to the business end of the Championship season, for Jones the months have positively flown by since taking over the Old Deer Park reins in the summer.

The former Ospreys supremo has had to get to grips with the demands of the Championship, as well as acquainting himself with the strengths and weaknesses of his playing squad.

Likewise, the players have had to get to adjust to their new coach. It’s been a learning all round at Old Deer Park this season.

“It’s been very challenging because this is my first Championship season, personally I haven’t found it that long – it’s been a very enjoyable experience and exciting,” he said.

“When you first come into the club you’re getting to know who’s who on the playing staff, and then secondly it’s about improving your stock and applying yourself.

“We’ve had highs and lows as a team and the players have responded very, very positively to new challenges and a new way of playing – some of which has suited them, some hasn’t. It’s been quite a steep learning curve for us all.”

The two-week break since the final round of Championship fixtures has been a welcome one for Jones, and the Welsh coach has noticed a definite step up in intensity on the training pitch over the last two weeks.

“This period has been good for everybody. It’s allowed teams to rest and to study opposition,” he said.

“We’re disappointed not to have Jon Mills back fit, and Martin Purdy. It’s been a difficult year in the fact that one of our main influences and our captain has started less than half a dozen games.

“We’ve had to adapt to that and we’re moving into the Championship play-offs in the best shape that we possibly can.”

It’s one win a piece between Welsh and Nottingham this season, with the Exiles coming out on top at Old Deer Park and the Green and Whites taking their revenge at the Memorial Stadium. Jones is anticipating another tough close encounter on Saturday.

“Nottingham have got some really good players and they’re a very organised team. We’ll need to be on top of our game of we’re to get anything from Saturday,” said Jones, who believes that all eight teams in the promotion play-offs could have a say in the destination of the Championship trophy.

“I think there’s eight sides all with similar ability, there or thereabouts, unlike last year when Worcester were streets ahead,” Jones added.

“You could argue that Bristol are marginally the form side. They’ve made some good signings throughout the year, they’ve strengthened, but everyone has been winning some tough matches and losing some easy matches.

“There are six games to go and anything can happen. It’s all about finishing in the top two and taking it from there.”

Team news

London Welsh get their Championship play-off campaign up and running when they welcome Nottingham to Old Deer Park on Saturday (kick-off 12:30pm).

Having reached the play-offs for the last two seasons, head coach Lyn Jones will be keen to take the club at least one step further this time around.

There’s more than an element of Deja vu about Saturday’s clash, which is a repeat last season’s high scoring play-off opener between the two clubs, played out in front of the live Sky Sports cameras.

It was the Exiles that came out on top 48-26 at Old Deer Park, thanks to tries from Nick Runciman, Jon Mills, Simon Whatling, Michael Hills, Hudson Tonga’uiha and Waisea Luveniyali, with David Jackson crossing for two of Nottingham’s four tries.

Welsh had already booked their semi-final place by the time they travelled to the Memorial Stadium in round 6, but still came out on top 27-13.

So far this season, it’s one win a piece between the sides. The Exiles won 34-23 at Old Deer Park back in September, but needed a late Ed Jackson try to make sure of the win after David Jackson had crossed at the other end to make for a nervy finish.

But the Green and Whites got their revenge at the Memorial Stadium with a 26-10 victory. James Arlidge kicking 21 points for the home side, while Ed Jackson crossed a late consolation for the Exiles.

Nottingham don’t have to go back too far for their last victory at Old Deer Park. That came in February 2011, when they won 22-13 thanks to intercept try by Cesar Sempere and James Arlidge’s charge down try.

London Welsh: 15. Alex Davies, 14. Nick Scott, 13. James Lewis, 12. Simon Whatling, 11. Ashley Smith, 10. Gordon Ross* ©, 9. Rob Lewis, 1. Shawn Pittman*, 2. Saul Nelson, 3. Greg Bateman, 4. Adam Brown, 5. Gary Johnson, 6. Lee Beach, 7. Mike Denbee, 8. Ed Jackson.

Replacements: 16. Tom French, 17. Dan George, 18. James Tideswell, 19. Matt Corker, 20. Ben Russell, 21. Jack Moates, 22. Will Hurrell.

* Denotes full international

London Welsh may have already made sure of a top four finish, thanks to their mid-week victory over Doncaster Knights, but Lyn Jones’ (pictured) side will be eager to end the regular season on a high note when they welcome Leeds Carnegie to Old Deer Park on Saturday (kick-off 12:30pm).

It’s seems an age now since the two sides last meet at Headingley in September in round 1, when the Exiles ran out 26-13 winners thanks to tries from Liam Gibson and Simon Whatling, and 16 points from the boot of Gordon Ross.

Welsh will therefore be looking to do the double over Leeds, having done just that against London Scottish and Doncaster in the last five days, but the Yorkshire side can take heart from their last visit to Old Deer Park which saw them run out emphatic 38-0 winners on their way to winning promotion back to the Premiership under Neil Back.

Hooker Dan George is set to make his 50th League appearance for the Exiles against Leeds on Saturday.

London Welsh: 15. Seb Jewell, 14. Will Hurrell, 13. Paul Mackey, 12. Simon Whatling, 11. Ashley Smith, 10. Alex Davies, 9. Jack Moates, 1. Tom French, 2. Saul Nelson, 3. Billy Moss, 4. Matt Corker, 5. Mike Powell, 6. Lee Beach, 7. Michael Hills, 8. Ben Russell.

Replacements: 16. Dan George, 17. Greg Bateman, 18. Adam Brown, 19. Ed Jackson, 20. Rob Lewis, 21. Gordon Ross*, 22. James Lewis.

* Denotes full international

Scottish provided London Welsh’s first-ever opponents in October 1885, winning by a goal and a try to no score at the Athletic Ground, while Saturday’s Championship clash will be the fourth league meeting between the two great rivals.

The last time they locked horns in the league was in 1989/90 when Scottish won 18-14 in League 3 at the Athletic Ground. In 1988/89 in League 2 the two sides played out a 24-24 draw at Old Deer Park, while in 1987/88 Welsh came out on top 29-10, again at Old Deer Park.

London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones makes 11 changes for the visit of London Scottish, with hooker Vili Ma’asi, second row Adam Brown, flanker Mike Denbee and Seb Jewell the only players to retain their starting places from the side that beat Aberavon in the British & Irish Cup. Jewell, though, moves from outside centre to full back.

Gordon Ross takes over the captain’s armband from Gary Johnson, while Welsh give a start to on loan London Irish back row forward, and former Scarlet, Ed Siggery.

Welsh have had the upper hand in the sides’ recent meetings, enjoying a 44-9 win earlier this season at the Athletic Ground in the British & Irish Cup, as well as recording a pre-season victory over Scottish at the same venue in August 2010.

London Welsh: 15. Seb Jewell, 14. Will Hurrell, 13. Hudson Tonga’uiha*, 12. Simon Whatling, 11. Joe Ajuwa, 10. Gordon Ross*, 9. Rob Lewis, 1. Shawn Pittman*, 2. Vili Ma’asi*, 3. Billy Moss, 4. Adam Brown, 5. Martin Purdy, 6. Ed Siggery, 7. Mike Denbee, 8. Lee Beach.

Replacements: 16. Nathan Morris, 17. Marc George, 18. Mike Powell, 19. Ed Jackson, 20. Ben Stevenson, 21. Alex Davies, 22. Edd Thrower.

* Denotes full international

London Scottish goes into Saturday’s derby match (ko 2pm) with confidence and heart gained from their recent form, which has seen them gain seven points from their last four fixtures, especially in the way which they dealt with a stubborn and resolute Esher side. London Welsh are in many ways a side Scottish can learn from as they have established themselves as one of the leading contenders for the Championship title.
The fixture represents the first league meeting between the two sides for over 10 years, and for the more senior supporters of Scottish the match on Saturday will bring back many memories of games gone past between these famous old rivals. From the early seventies when both Scottish and Welsh were littered with internationalists and British & Irish Lions players and the matches were sometimes even considered to be international trial matches, through to the last time the teams played one another for league points in the 1989/90 season when Scottish came out on top 18 -14.
Injuries and recalls have disrupted Scottish’s preparations somewhat: recent dual-registration signings Elliot Daly and Guy Armitage have been called back into the Wasps and London Irish squads respectively, while full back Oli Grove is ruled out through injury. Argentine international wing Agustine Gosio moves to full back, and scrum-half Matt Heeks will hope to continue his try-scoring form as he shifts to the wing.
Scottish team:
15 Gosio
14 Heeks
13 O Holmes
12 O Brown
11 Howells
10 J Brown
9 Lalanne (c)

1 Liffchak
2 Kwasnicki
3 Thiede
4 Rudzki
5 Thomas
6 Andrews
7 Lonergan
8 Kellard

Replacements: Clarke, Stanfield, MacKenzie, Josh Thomas Brown, Calder, Amor, Holgate.

In addition, there are only three survivors from the Welsh side which last weekend overturned a 10-6 half-time deficit at Castle Park against Doncaster Knight to win the second half 15-0 – fly half Alex Davies, second row Adam Brown and number eight Ed Jackson.

The Exiles opened their B&I Cup campaign with a bonus point win over London Scottish, but then went down to Bedford Blues to the last play of the game at Sunbury. However, the Exiles still sit top of Pool 4, albeit only by points difference from Esher.

Saturday’s clash at Old Deer Park will be Aberavon’s first outing in this season’s B&I Cup, with the Welsh Premiership leaders drawn in Pool 3 alongside Leinster, Bedford and Scottish.

Welsh and Aberavon do, however, have previous B&I Cup history. The two sides were pooled together in 2009/10 with the Exiles winning 36-7 at the Talbot Athletic Ground. Paul Sampson and Tom Brown both scored two tries a piece, while Simon Whatling completed the try scoring. On Saturday at Old Deer Park, Paul Mackey and Matt Corker will be Welsh’s only survivors from that meeting on November 27, 2009.

The two sides also faced each other in a friendly on August 2, 2008, at the Talbot Athletic Ground. The Exiles coming out on top that day 48-17 with tries coming from Joe Ajuwa (2), Ed Lewis-Pratt, Aaron Hopkins, Mark Odejobi, Alex Walker and Darryl Ball, with Lewis-Pratt adding 13 points with the boot.

London Welsh: 15. James Lewis, 14. Liam Gibson, 13. Paul Mackey, 12. Seb Jewell, 11. Ashley Smith, 10. Alex Davies, 9. Ben Stevenson, 1. Guillermo Roan, 2. Vili Ma’asi*, 3. James Tideswell, 4. Adam Brown, 5. Matt Corker, 6. Gary Johnson ©, 7. Michael Hills, 8. Ed Jackson.

Replacements: 16. George Thomas, 17. Billy Moss, 18. Martin Purdy, 19. Michael Denbee, 20. Jack Moates, 21. Will Hurrell, 22. Edd Thrower.

* Denotes full international

The Exiles will no doubt have a spot of revenge in mind, but will be even more eager to end a run of three consecutive losses, following Championship defeats to Bristol and Rotherham, and to Bedford in the British & Irish Cup.

Welsh will be particularly keen to wipe out the memory of their last outing at Old Deer Park when they went down 33-25 to the Titans. Head coach Lyn Jones got the response he was looking for at Bristol in front of the live Sky Sports cameras – although not the result thanks to Jack Tovey’s late try.

Jones makes four changes to the Welsh starting line for Saturday’s visit of the Pirates. One of those comes on the wing with James Lewis, who returns from injury to make his first appearance since the Exiles’ home win over Plymouth Albion, coming in for Liam Gibson.

There’s a double change in the front row with Shawn Pittman and Billy Moss coming in for Guillermo Roan and Greg Bateman, while Lee Beach replaces Jon Mills at blindside flanker. Gordon Ross takes over the captain’s armband.

Welsh will be looking to make it three wins in a row over the Pirates on home soil. The Exiles came out on top 23-16 last season at Old Deer Park, thanks to Dom Shabbo’s try and six penalties from Aled Thomas, while in 2009/10 Welsh won 34–10 with Rob Lewis crossing twice and the home side’s other tries coming from Simon Whatling, Shabbo, Errie Claassens and Dorian Williams.

The Pirates have to go back to 2008/09 for the last time they tasted victory at Old Deer Park, when they won 38-23.

London Welsh: 15. Edd Thrower, 14. Will Hurrell, 13. Hudson Tonga’uiha*, 12. Simon Whatling, 11. James Lewis, 10. Gordon Ross* ©, 9. Rob Lewis, 1. Shawn Pittman*, 2. Dan George, 3. Billy Moss, 4. Adam Brown, 5. Martin Purdy, 6. Lee Beach, 7. Mike Denbee, 8. Ed Jackson.

Replacements: 16. Saul Nelson/Vili Ma’asi*, 17. Greg Bateman, 18. Matt Corker, 19. Ben Russell, 20. Jack Moates, 21. Alex Davies, 22. Ashley Smith.

* Denotes full international