London Welsh Reaction to European Rugby Challenge Cup Draw

London Welsh have been drawn with Edinburgh Rugby, Bordeaux Begles and Lyon in Pool 5 of next season's inaugural European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Commenting on the draw London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell said: "It doesn't get any easier, but it's great to be part of it. There will be no easy games for us next season.

"We're back in European competition and we are playing against Top 14 sides Bordeaux Begles and Lyon, and Edinburgh, who have top Scotland internationals playing for them.

"It's exciting times for the club and it's great that we'll have three top tier teams playing at the Kassam Stadium next season in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.”

All three of London Welsh's European Rugby Challenge Cup are part of the club's 2014/15 Season Ticket package, the launch of which takes place at 9am on Thursday 12th June.

The 2014/15 Aviva Premiership season will see Sunday afternoons at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford (kick-off 2:30pm) become synonymous with London Welsh (unless dictated otherwise by television), with the club having committed to playing its home games at the Kassam Stadium for the next three years.

London Welsh fly half and assistant coach Gordon Ross said: "It will be good to get back up to Edinburgh and hopefully we'll get better conditions than when we played Edinburgh Academical in December.

"They've got a new coaching team and I imagine they'll be targeting a big pre-season and looking to catch up with Glasgow, and making sure they quality for the European Rugby Champions Cup next year.

"It goes without saying that we'll be targeting the Premiership next season but the European Rugby Challenge Cup will give guys who perhaps are aren't playing in the Premiership an opportunity, as well as a chance to play against different players.

"I'm sure it will be very enjoyable competition. We had some good away trips in Europe during the 2012/13 season, although some good and bad experiences, but it was good fun and it gives the fans an opportunity for some good weekends away as well.”