Some of the greatest names in rugby have played for the Dragons over the years. Famous names to wear the red shirt include JPR Williams, John Dawes, Gerald Davies, Mervyn Davies, Tom Rock, Colin Charvis and Tom Shanklin. Welsh were once one of the top clubs in the game, famouslysupplying seven players to the 1971 Lions tour.

Scanning the squad list for this season shows no household names, but there are still players to watch out for. One to note is Aled Thomas at stand-off, who has experience with the Scarlets and is looking to re-invigorate his career with Welsh. He is their current top scorer, scoring tries as well as kicking goals. Add to this a
couple of players whose ancestry looks to owe more to the South Sea Islands than to South Wales, a bunch of experienced National One pros, and a few loanees from Wasps, and it's easy to see why Welsh have had a good start to the season.

So far they've won narrowly at Moseley, beaten Doncaster at home, won comfortably at Sedgley Park, lost at home to Bedford and, last week, they won by a single point at Plymouth. The last is an especially impressive result on the road.

The travelling Tykes fans will be hoping for something a little less
stressful than Exeter, and a little more convincing than Rotherham.
Hopefully they will not be disappointed. The Tykes should certainly win. The key is going to be for Messrs Fourie and Oakley to introduce themselves to Aled Thomas at the earliest possible opportunity. The stats show that almost half Welsh's points have come from Thomas, so he must be shut down. After that, sensible rugby should see the win and bonus point secured.

London Welsh are a proper rugby club. Two years ago the welcome for visiting supporters was fantastic. The beer in the club house was top notch (to the extent that your correspondent nearly missed the train home) and there was plenty of time to chat to the players after the game.

Two seasons ago the Tykes went to Welsh needing to win to go top, and wanting to avenge the defeat in the first match of the season. The mission was accomplished at a very soggy Old Deer Park. Those who can say "I was there" will remember one of the top moments of a top season, when Kearnan Myall chased down the Welsh winger, travelling most of the length of the field, and out-pacing a couple of nameless Leeds backs. Let's hope for something as memorable this time.

Bring it on!

PT's side for Welsh: Hints; Sparky, Heppers, 'enry, Stretch; the good Dr, Van Man; Big Mac, Rawlo, The Bear, Penders, Country, JD, Mr Fourie, Mr Oakley.
Subs: Tommy, Dennis, Inga, Little Murph, the Shark, Vicks, Wheels.

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