Welsh are relishing Kassam Stadium switch (From The Oxford Times)

Welsh are relishing Kassam Stadium switch

9:30am Friday 20th July 2012 in London Welsh By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

FLANKER Michael Hills says London Welsh cannot wait to play in the Aviva Premiership at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium .

Hills revealed the exitement in the Exiles squad as he prepared to captain them in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Sevens at Edgeley Park tonight.

That tournament is London Welsh’s first competitive action of pre-season, with 15-a-side friendlies away to Llanelli Scarelets and Bath also lined-up.

But it will be on Sunday, September 2, when Welsh host Leicester at the Kassam Stadium that the achievement of their promotion will really hit home.

“The feeling among the players is just excitement,” said Hills, who is a former England Sevens international.

“Everybody wants to challenge themslelves at a higher level.

“We have got a great opportunity and we just can’t wait for it now.

“Everybody is working that little bit harder in training.

“It was a great atmosphere and a great day when we won the play-off final at the Kassam Stadium.

“We look forward to welcoming all of the support from the Oxford area.”

Welsh take on fellow Premiership sides Sale Sharks, Northampton and Leicester in tonight’s Group B matches, with the top two teams progressing to finals day at Bath on Friday, August 3.

Harlequins and London Irish booked their places from Pool A last week.

Hills said: “It is an opportunity to get some rugby under our belts and work on our skills in the fast setting that the Premiership will be.

“Facing Sale, Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers is a huge challenge, but it’s a hugely exciting one.

“It’s a tough pool, but you want to challenge yourself against the top teams “Any time you walk on a rugby pitch it’s a chance to impress and I’m sure the whole team will want to take this opportunity to show their skills off.

“We’ll be going out there to play to the best of our ability and to enjoy it.”

London Welsh squad: Seru, Vessells, Rees, Evans, Hills (capt), Nacamavuto, Myers, Howells, Tellwright, Banfield, McAtee, Walsh.

TONIGHT’S FIXTURES London Welsh v Sale Sharks (7.30), Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers (7.55), Northampton Saints v London Welsh (8.25), Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers (8.50), London Welsh v Leicester Tigers (9.20), Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks (9.45).