Monday Round-Up:
- 1685
Welsh Humbled On Opener:
London Welsh's first game back in the top flight was nothing short of a disaster. After signing 26 players this summer, including World Cup winner Piri Weepu, there was a great sense of optimism around the Kassam Staduim on the first day of the season. However that optimism was short lived as Thomas Waldrom crossed the line twice on his debut in the opening half hour of the game as Exeter went into half time 17-0 up. Things went from bad to worse for Justin Burnell's side in the second half as Exeter added 5 more tries with David Ewers, Sam Hill, Ian Whitten, Jack Arnott and debutant Chrysander Botha all crossing the line for the Chiefs. Welsh head coach Justin Burnell was quick to pin the defeat on individual errors and not the amount of signings his side made, “If you’re a professional player it’s irrelevant if you’ve come in to the team for the first time – you’ve got to make your tackles, you’ve got to make that final pass and you’ve got to hold on to it,” said Burnell. It will be a huge test of Welsh's character so early on in the season to see how they react when they face Bath next week.
Lock Steenkamp joins Ospreys:
Ospreys have signed De Kock Steenkamp from Super Rugby side Stormers. The South African lock has signed a three-year deal and could potentially play for Wales in 3 years time. The WRU approved the signing and Steenkamp will be used as a "time-serving" overseas player. The lock will bring in cover at second row after the departures of Ian Evans and Ryan Jones to Bristol. Steenkamp is excited about the move and released a statement saying, "Looking around the place and talking to people there really made me excited about signing. Hopefully I'll be able to link up with the squad soon and play a part in helping to make sure the Ospreys remain the best side in Wales as well as one of the best in Europe."
Dan Hayes