A Day Trip To Richmond For The Challenge Of London Welsh

A Day Trip To Richmond For The Challenge Of London WelshBy UrlacherMy earliest memory of London Welsh was meeting two of their supporters in the North Stand at Sixways, they were friendly unbelievably knowledgeable and real lovers of our wonderful game!

We met them several times throughout the years we spent in the second tier,it was always a pleasure and I am hoping that we see them again this weekend.

Worcester's last visit to play the Welsh exiles was early in 2004, our promotion season.On a rather wet and dismal late January day we returned home with a 28-3 victory,

Old Deer Park is a wonderfully welcoming venue and I still remember with great affection the roast potatoes and beef stew for £2.50 in the clubhouse that was as tasty as it was warming.

In those days you would stand on pallets at the side of the pitch with stunning views to the right of Kew Gardens, a truly unique venue. On that day those with me shared the pleasure of supporting our Warriors on the touchline with the legend that is Drew Hickey. He was recovering from a hip injury as I remember and was excellent company. In the dreadful muddy and wet conditions I think he was relieved just to be watching, and shouting smart Alec Mickey taking comments at his colleagues. Chris "Crystal" Garrard seemed to be signalled out for special attention! Drew gave him some almighty stick that day!

Our forthcoming trip to the capital this weekend, will be approached with more than a little trepidation.....

Welsh's home form this season has been exceptional, four games played, four won, with four try bonus points.20 points out of 20…A Perfect record….. Other than a strong second half by Doncaster Knights that earned them a losing bonus point they have sent their other three opponents home with nothing for their efforts. They are also averaging an impressive 35 points per home game, whilst only leaking an average of 14 points per game. Impressive to say the least.

In their ranks the Exiles have three ex Worcester lads Paul Sampson, Simon Whatling and Nick Runciman. I always felt young Nick was unfortunate at Sixways, whenever he had the chance to start a first team game on the whole he impressed, I believe he played in a big try bonus point home win over the Falcons, and followed it up with a good performance at the Rec in the game where many thought we should have won courtesy of a penalty try for a blatant pull back on Johnny Hylton when he only had to fall on the ball to score. I think this was the only Premiership game when we scored 4 tries and lost!

Simon Whatling was another lad who never let us down, my lasting memory of him was when he was called upon to kick a last second penalty at Leeds, to earn us an absolutely priceless losing bonus point.He stepped up and slotted it straight between the posts. Paul Sampson was not at Sixways for long, but always looked rather swift!

Anyway, enough about our opponents what about the Warriors? Well we have our proud record of being the only unbeaten team away from home in the championship to defend. However, a repeat of some of the errors from last Friday and that record will be in severe jeopardy. Those Welsh backs will not need asking twice.

Having seen all the league games so far, I think on the whole we have played our better rugby away from home,this form will have to continue as we will have to be at our best if we are to return victorious from our difficult visit to the capital. Whatever happens its always a good day out at Old Deer Park.