Sonny Parker announced new rugby director of London Welsh

Former Wales international Sonny Parker has been announced as the new director of rugby of London Welsh club.

The 39-year-old will face an uphill task of reviving the club after it was stripped of professional club status following their expulsion from RFU Championship - a month later after they went into voluntary liquidation in December last year.

Parker will be assisted by former Ospreys and London Welsh prop Cai Griffiths, who will take the role of player/coach while Pete Lowe has been assigned the role of team manager.

London Welsh will be a part of Herts and Middlesex League 1 next season and Parker stated that the club has drawn a five year plan to achieve its goal.

"I want to help get the club back to where we want it to be, and I believe the five-year plan is an achievable one," Parker said.

"The first year is going to be the real indicator, but the ambition is definitely there to make the plan a realisation."

Parker was part of the Wales side which won the Grand Slam in 2008 and played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.