London Scots won't join Welsh in Magners bid
WHILE London Welsh where former Hawks prop Peter Dalton now plays are attempting to join the Magners League, London Scottish have ruled out such a move, at least for the next two years.

London Welsh, of National Division 1, the league below the Guinness Premiership, revealed yesterday that they had written to the Welsh Rugby Union requesting a meeting to discuss the viability of them becoming a fifth Welsh side in the competition. They would fund themselves for the first season and play their home games in a ground-share deal at the 12,500-capacity Brentford FC.

The move has been sparked by discussions between the RFU and English Premiership clubs over ending relegation and promotion from and to the top flight, apparently in an effort to ensure England's leading players are freed more often for international sessions.

London Scottish have been promoted five times to now sit one outside National Division 3, since being dropped nine divisions by the RFU after the financial collapse of the once-mighty Premiership club. Rod Lynch, the club president, said: "The Magners League would be an option for us, but not right now. Our aim is to reach National Division 2 and then take stock and see where we might go next. If there is no promotion to the Premiership, the Magners League may be something we would think about then, but not before."

Peter Thomas, London Welsh's operations manager, said: "I think we would bring a great deal to the Magners League. Geographically, it would mean the league would have a team playing in each of the capital cities. And we would end up with very healthy gates."

This article was posted on 22-Dec-2006, 08:58 by Hugh Barrow.