Steve Lawrie

Round 7 of the Championship sees the Knights away at Old Deer Park against London Welsh. “The Exiles” are currently 4th in the Championship with the Knights 8th.

After their last 2 tough away fixtures, the Knights face another one. The only positive is that the odds are ones that Lynn Howells and the Knights relish, the role of the underdog. Despite being 4th, Championship new-boys, Esher (7th) beat London Welsh last Friday, 22 – 19. The Dragons will be smarting after losing and will look to return to winning ways at Old Deer Park, where they are yet to lose this season

In the game against Esher last weekend both teams scored one try, both of which were converted but Esher scored 5 penalty kicks to the 4 of London Welsh. Gordon Ross (fly half) had a 100% penalty conversion record in the game and the try scorer for was Liam Gibson (wing), scoring after about 4 minutes.

The Welsh flying wingers have scored over half of their tries, if the full back is included in the equation; the back 3 have scored over 70% of their tries so far in this RFU Championship season.

Unsurprisingly, individually, Josh Draininiu (wing) is the Championship’s joint top try scorer with Gibson 1 try behind in equal 2nd.

Ross is joint 7th in the Championship’s top point scorers, only 1 point behind Worcester’s Andy Goode.

The Knights Matty Williams is also joint 2nd top try scorer and Tristan Roberts is the 2nd top points scorer.

Looking at point scoring against conceded, The Knights have scored 12 more points over 6 games (2 / game) but have conceded 72 more points over the same period (12 /game). Of the points scored, London Welsh are the only team that have scored a drop goal and they have scored more tries than the Knights. The Dragons haven’t scored as many penalties and their conversion strike rate is 53%, compared to the Knights’ 79%. Statistically the teams are fairly even in attack, with Welsh stronger on try scoring and the Knights stronger on kicking but the Welsh defence is their strength, leaking fewer points than leader’s Worcester Warriors.

Other fixtures that whose result could impact the Knights are primarily Esher on equal points. Then only Bristol and Moseley, who are both 3 points behind. If the Knights win they can’t catch Nottingham, who are 6 points above (2 of which were scored in their loss to the Knights last week).

Esher (7th) travel to Birmingham to play the Bees (bottom, yet to win) on Sunday
Bristol (9th) played away at Sixways against Worcester Warriors (top, yet to lose) last night
Nottingham (6th) host Moseley (10th) tomorrow

Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday, the address for Old Deer Park being as follows.

Old Deer Park
187 Kew Rd
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 2AZ

Matchday Prices for 2010/2011 Season are as follows : Ground Entry - £15 Concession - £10 Upgrade To Grandstand - £5
Kids Under 16 yrs GO FREE

You can purchase your tickets online via the London Welsh website at www.london-welsh.co.uk .