HUDSON Tonga’uiha is set to make his first appearance for London Welsh in 16 months when he returns for their Greene King IPA Championship game against Jersey at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow (2pm).

The centre, who joined the Exiles from Doncaster Knights in 2010, has not featured since suffering a shoulder injury in the opening minutes of their Premiership win over London Irish in December 2012.

Agonisingly, Tonga’uiha’s return was further delayed by an Achilles injury sustained in training in September, but his nightmare is at an end.

“I’m a bit nervous about Saturday, but I can’t wait, as it’s been a very long time,” said the Tongan international.

“At the beginning it was really tough. There were loads of doubts going through my head, but I was so lucky to have my family and friends around me and their support all the time.”

Tonga’uiha is now keen to repay the faith shown in him by the club, not least of all by their medical team and strength and conditioning coaches.

“They’re all probably sick of the sight of me,” said Tonga’uiha. “Hopefully, I can now pay them all back.”

Exiles’ back-row forward Mitch Lees, 25 yesterday joined Exeter Chiefs.