Welsh Continue Signing Spree

The Aviva Premiership’s newest team, London Welsh, have wasted no time in building their squad for the 2014/15 season, with the addition of three new faces just the day after signing Olly Barkley.

The Exiles have announced the signings of Tristan Roberts, Nick Reynolds and Chris Elder.

The announcement comes 24 hours after confirmation that Olly Barkley is to join the Exiles, and together with today's European Rugby Challenge Cup draw adds to the build up to the club's 2014/15 Season Ticket Launch, 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 head coach Justin Burnell, said: "Tristan was unfortunate this year to sit behind Nicky Robinson and Adrian Jarvis at Bristol and didn't really get the opportunities he might have, but he's got great game understanding, kicks a lot of points and after meeting with him you could tell he's going to fit in well to our environment.

"Nick made four Heineken Cup appearances for the Scarlets this season and he's another player with great skills and a real turn of pace. He's also another great advert for the Scarlets' production line.

"Chris came out of the Wasps Academy and in the two games we played against Plymouth Albion last season he definitely showed he has something to offer – he's a big physical lad.”

Roberts, 27, who can play fly half or full back, joins the Exiles from Bristol Rugby, for whom he has racked up an impressive 388 points in 58 appearances over three seasons.

The former Hartpury College and Gloucester Rugby Academy graduate spent a season at Moseley, after being part of their National Trophy success in 2009, before joining Doncaster Knights.

He finished the regular 2010/11 Championship season with a haul of 220 points for the Knights, and the following season established himself as Bristol's first choice number ten as well as notching up 245 points in 23 appearances.

His performances in the 2012/13 season saw him selected at fly half for the RFU Championship Select XV to face New Zealand Maori.

Reynolds, 25, joins the Exiles from Llanelli Scarlets. The former Wales Under 20 centre made 54 appearances for the Scarlets, including scoring five tries, in his five seasons at the region.

Reynolds joined the Scarlets in 2008 and made his first league appearance as a replacement against the Ospreys in April 2009 at Parc y Scarlets. His first start came a month later against Ulster, and his first Scarlets try away to Leinster in March 2011. He also brings Heineken Cup experience to the club.

Born in Carmarthen and raised in Llanelli, Reynolds is a former pupil of Coedcae Comprehensive School. He played junior rugby for Felinfoel before going on to play for Llangennech.

Elder, 21, has represented England at Under 18 and Counties level and arrives at London Welsh from Plymouth Albion.

The full back, who can also play wing or centre, claimed Albion's fifth try in their 36-15 victory over the Exiles in January.

Elder joined Plymouth from Esher in 2013 after helping them to a second place finish in National League One.

He marked his Plymouth debut with three tries and five conversions in a 55-14 win over Exmouth, and was a regular feature in James Shanahan's side last season.

Elder came through the London Wasps Academy and has also played for Thames Valley (NZ).