The two weeks away from the Greene King IPA Championship will allow London Welsh to iron out the faults that led to losing their 100 per cent record last Saturday, according to assistant coach Gordon Ross.

The Exiles slipped to a 28-26 defeat against Bedford Blues to end a run of nine successive league victories, but they still hold an eight-point lead at the top as they take a break from Championship action.

Oxford Mail: Returning veteran: London Welsh fly half Gordon Ross is back to face Bath

  • Gordon Ross is hoping London Welsh bounce back from their first league defeat of the season at Bedford Blues last week

For the next two Saturdays they will playing a double-header against Edinburgh Academicals in the British & Irish Cup.

They entertain Edinburgh tomorrow at their London base of Old Deer Park. The return march is at Raeburn Place on December 14.

“The result against Bedford was bitterly disappointing,” said Ross.

“We switched off and gave them soft scores, with some poor tackling.

“Now, we have a chance to right the wrongs before we resume the Championship against London Scottish at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, December 21.”

That means Welsh have three matches against Scottish opponents in successive weeks.

Ross was brought up in Edinburgh and recalls playing against Academicals for his first club, Heriots FP.

“I reckon the last time I played against them was in 1999, but I know their director of rugby, Bobby Easson well and he likes sides to throw the ball around,” Ross said.

“That should test our defensive qualities.”