London Scottish backs coach Mike Friday expects another ‘enthralling’ clash on Sunday when Scottish and London Welsh lock-horns for the fourth time this season, at Richmond Athletic Ground, 2pm kick-off.
The Exile rivals have played each other twice in the B&I Cup, where honours were even, but London Scottish emerged 13-5 victors during December’s Greene King IPA Championship encounter at the Kassam Stadium.
Friday said: “Every game we have played this year against London Welsh has had everything both in attack and defence and Sunday should prove to be another full-on enthralling clash between the two clubs.
“The conditions will be more akin to when we played London Welsh in October in the B&I Cup when both teams tried to attack and play with width.
“I think both teams will again have that ambition to play but set piece will be a key area and London Welsh have a formidable scrum and a big pack. We will have to be up to that challenge.”
Friday believes London Welsh go into Sunday’s game as favourites despite Scottish leading the head-to-head 2-1 this season.
He has seen enough in training this week however to believe the Scots can pull off another upset.
He added: “London Welsh are worthy of their position near the top of the Championship and have equipped themselves really well since coming down from the Premiership.
“They are a big club with huge resources. On that front they are certainly the favourites but we have a togetherness and a great collective belief.
“Every game matters for this group as we approach the end of the season and these are treasured moments because this squad will not be the same squad which takes to the field next year, that’s inevitable in professional rugby.
“Around the training ground everyone now realises each game is like a mini-cup final.”
London Scottish make one change to the side which beat Moseley last weekend, prop Jamie Kilbane coming in for his first Championship start of the year in place of Nic Mayhew.
– Click here to listen to Mike Friday's full audio preview.
– Click here to listen to centre Mike Doneghan's radio preview.
– Click here for information regarding public transport disruption affecting services to Richmond on Sunday.
Sunday is Mother’s Day and London Scottish is letting all ladies in for free to the match (Clan, standing tickets)!
Ladies simply have to turn up on the day and pick up their free tickets at the gate.
Men can take advantage of a 2 for £25 online deal, click here (Clan, standing tickets).
As always, under-16s can get in for free.
Click here for full details on Sunday's match.
London Scottish team to play London Welsh at Richmond Athletic Ground on Sunday March 30, 2pm kick-off.
15, Jim Thompson, 14, James Love; 13, Mike Doneghan; 12, PJ Gidlow; 11, Miles Mantella; 10, Dan Newton; 9, Jordi Pasqualin; 1, Jamie Kilbane; 2, Adam Kwasnicki; 3, Tomas Francis; 4, Tyler Hotson; 5, Dave Lyons; 6, Neil Best; 7, Matt Everard; 8, Mark Bright.
Replacements: 16, Tedd Stagg; 17, George Hunter; 18, Lewis Thiede; 19, Paul Spivey; 20, Tommy Spinks; 21, Sam Stuart; 22, Lee Millar.
