This Saturday the 1st XV league season gets underway with a visit to Watford. Newly promoted from Herts/Middx 2, Watford have approached the new season with warm up games against Verulamians, St Albans, Pinner and Mill Hill. They finished fourth in the Phase 1 of the 2016/17 HM2 season, winning nine of their eleven matches, and therefore qualifying for Phase 2 of the competition. Seven wins and three losses saw them finish the season in 2nd place and earn promotion.

London Welsh have been clear about the immediate ambition - four promotions within five years - and It's bound to make us a target, the scalp that opposition will want to claim. The season ahead is destined to be a fascinating one!