London Welsh assistant coach Mike Friday has heaped praise on the Dragons’ squad after two games in 48 hours last weekend saw the Exiles close out their British & Irish Cup campaign.
Already eliminated from the tournament, Welsh went down at Neath last Friday evening before defeating Swansea at Old Deer Park on Sunday.
Both games were played in atrocious conditions and several players were required to play 160 minutes, including front row pair Lorne Ward and Will Johnson. Number eight Jonathan Fisher and full back Errie Claassens also doubled up.
“It’s hard enough playing 80 minutes in the front row as it is, but they had to play two full games within 48 hours, which is no mean feat,” said Friday.
“It’s been a real stretch of the squad, but the boys just got on with it and did us proud with their effort and work rate.
“Both games were extremely tough. We were obliged to play them but it doesn’t help our preparation towards the play-offs which is where our focus is.
“Nonetheless the boys were professional to an end in terms of stepping up and going out there and trying to perform in extremely difficult conditions.”
Welsh went down 14-7 at The Gnoll in heavy rain, while a further downpour over Old Deer Park the morning of the Swansea game turned the pitch into a mud-bath. Welsh came out on top 22-6, with Friday believing the Dragons must be due a dry pitch soon.
“I don’t know the last time we had a dry track!” he said. “We want to play fast attacking rugby. That’s our philosophy, that’s the way London Welsh want to play the game.
“But we’ve also got to be streetwise and recognise that if the weather conditions aren’t what they need to be we’re going to have to play a different type of game, and we’ll be ready come Nottingham whatever the conditions.”
Welsh spent the early part of this week recovering and recuperating following their endeavours at the weekend, but the focus is now beginning to turn to their opening play-off fixture against Nottingham at Old Deer Park on March 12.
“It will be a fantastic game; these last three weeks have been the boys’ mini pre-season and while you want to win every game it’s not the most important thing,” said Friday.
“It’s about building performances and getting the little bits and pieces right for when it really matters come finals time, and the reality is we’re getting into finals time.
“There are no tomorrows come the play-offs. All the boys and motivated and focused to try and achieve that.”
Positives for Welsh against Neath and Swansea were the return to first team action of centre Simon Whatling and lock Martin Purdy after long term injury lay-offs.
“It was nice to see Simon and Martin out there running around, and we’re hopeful that Paul Sampson will be fit again soon,” said Friday.
“All of our players are returning at the important part of the season. We’ve now just got to give the players the chance to rest and recuperate from last weekend and then we can all move forward as a group for the game against Nottingham.”
