Advertise on podcast: The London Welsh Rugby Club Podcast

Our guest this week is Academy Award winning producer James Gay-Rees producer of films including AMY, Senna and Diego Maradonna. Box to Box Films is an award documentary production company based in London, Paris and Los Angeles and they are the team behind Formula 1:Drive to Survive, Break Point, Full Swing, Unchained and the recently released SIX NATIONS:FULL CONTACT. James grew up in Richmond and Twickenham and played Mini rugby at London Welsh and has fond memories of watching the senior side in the 70's playing at Old Deer Park. We discuss his journey from Minis to top Documentary maker and the ins and outs of the new behind the scenes 6 Nations series. Very engaging chap, who would love to reconnect with London Welsh. There may even be a film in it. 😉 Enjoy

Morlais has been a player, team manager and supporter of London Welsh for 59 years. Brought up in Mynnydd Careg and wasn't allowed to play rugby until he left school. He played for Kidwelly RFC whilst in Wales and then made the move to Notting Hill. You will not believe which club he played for first, before he made the move to London Welsh in 1965. Played for 20 years across the Extra A's, A's, Dragons and Druids, before stepping into team management for the club. Morlais was appointed 1st team Manager in 1993 and he didn't miss a match until he retired from the role in 2007. We chat about tours as a player and a team manager, plus how he didn't let cancer beat him. A Man who has seen it all at the club and who has made so many lifelong friends at London Welsh. Enjoy

Our guest this week is Ben Whitehouse, WRU Professional Referee. A busy official who has just been been away for two rounds of European Cup duty as a referee and TMO; and is getting ready for the 6 Nations. We discuss what the Word Cup was like as part of the whole officiating squad and his role within it. We learn about his refereeing journey and get to understand who his role models are. A young referee with lots of experience; becoming more prominent in the International arena. Enjoy.

Our guest this week is former British and Irish Lion and Wales Scrum Half, Mike Phillips. Mike gives his tribute on the loss of JPR; a true Wales, Lions and London Welsh Legend. We discuss his forthcoming appearance at London Welsh dinner on Feb 9th as part of the club's England vs Wales weekend. We also chat about what he is doing now that he lives in Dubai, plus we spend some time reflecting on his media role during the Rugby World Cup and look forward to the 6 Nations. Enjoy. Tickets for the Dinner are available on www.londonwelshrugby.club/

Our guest this week is former Premiership Hooker, Dan George. We discuss the many sliding doors moments of rugby and what rugby has given him and continues to give him as he enjoys coaching at Old Albanians and Ealing Trailfinders Academy. He started life in Wales, representing his country at U16, U18 and U21, whilst representing the Scarlets and playing for Llandovery College. He moved to London Welsh at the age of 21, playing over 90 matches across the 5 seasons and had his most consistent year; the year the club won promotion under Lyn Jones. This is a real honest account about the ups and downs of life of a professional rugby player, who went on and played at Gloucester, Worcester, Blackheath, Bedford, London Scottish and Chinnor. Enjoy

Our guest this week is Senior Men's Coach and Head Coach of Druids, Andrew Evans. Andy was late to the game of rugby, only taking it up in West Scotland at the age of 17; but there was plenty of rugby pedigree in his family. He started life on the wing and post school found himself working as a Coach for the Scottish Rugby Union. He was meant to go into the Army at 19, but decided to loved coaching so much and went to Wales to get a degree in Rugby Coaching. Post University, he landed a role as Community Coach at London Scottish and then came across to London Welsh to train and play for the club as a Hooker. He then got involved with coaching the U18's and that then developed into his current role. We discuss his role at Imperial College and we preview this weekends' London Welsh U20 clash with Richmond. Enjoy

Our guest this week is our Aussie flanker Rohan. Born and bred in Sydney, playing touch rugby with his brothers and lots of club rugby in the suburbs before he got to make senior appearances. He gave up rugby for a few years post an ACL injury and moved to the UK . Will Taylor encouraged him to play touch at the club and the rest is history. A very popular player with the members and someone who clearly loves being part of this Community club. Enjoy

Our guest this week is Nigel. Nigel came to London Welsh in 1979 and either played or coached at the club for over 19 years. He takes us through his journey, plus all the tours the club went on during his time there. Nigel had offers to go and play elsewhere; but this was the only club for him. We hear about the escapades the 'Martini Club' get up to and what lifelong friendships he has made during his time here. Nigel chats about his time at Llandovery College and what a hot bed of talent it was and still is. A true gent, who has been chair of the Voyagers since 2006 and has plenty of stories to entertain you. Enjoy.

A couple of guests this week. Our main guest is Sam, who joined London Welsh at the beginning of Project Reset and was a big character in the squad for the two seasons he played for the club. A very proud Northerner, who played some tough rugby in Yorkshire, who also escaped the UK to travel and to ski. Sadly work curtailed his LW journey, but he still turns out for the Vets and is often at ODP on match days with the family supporting the club. We are also joined by 1st team player Gareth Lewis to see what's happening inside the camp. Enjoy

Our guest this week is former London Welsh Scrum Half, Rob Lewis. Rob was brought up in Abergavenny and went to senior school in Hereford where he grew to love rugby. He signed professional terms with the Dragons and was loaned out the some Welsh Premiership clubs to get experience before he made his regional debut. Some 7's rugby for Wales and then Danny Wilson signed him for London Welsh. 8 years at London Welsh winning 3 trophies and experiencing a couple of relegations, makes this podcast a fascinating listen. Enjoy.

Our guest this week is Club Captain Adam Nixon. Adam was born in the Midlands and was part of both Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors Academies before he went to Australia to play rugby in his gap year. 4 years at Leeds University, where he played National 1 rugby; before he escaped to Guernsey to start his career in financial services and to play for the island team. 2 years of great fun for young Adam, meant he had to come to London to work and found himself at CS Stags with a great bunch of mates. Post pandemic, he fancied a change and came to London Welsh and has never looked back. A fascinating insight on our club and why he choose to come to London Welsh and why he loves it so much. Enjoy

In this weeks' pod, we hear from former player James Roberts, now Sports Broadcaster as he takes us through his documentary that he has made about London Welsh, called Dragons in Exile. We hear about his rugby background and all the support he received from Cardiff Met as he pursued his Masters in Sports Broadcasting. James came to London Welsh and was with us for two years during Covid; so his game time was limited and then cut short through injury. He still benefitted greatly from the `Careers Hub at London Welsh and felt the advice given has helped shape his career to date. He is now an active Stadium Announcer, Commentator at many sports event around the world and we expect many more things from James, once people get to see the film he has made. We also catch up with Osian McAvoy on the club's season to date, his thoughts on the top of the table clash with Havant and why the squad for this season is tighter than ever. Enjoy.