Jones makes five changes to Exiles vs Harlequins

Posted on Sep 6, 2012

Lyn Jones has made five changes, including one positional, to the London Welsh starting line for Friday night’s clash with Aviva Premiership champions Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop (kick-of 7:45pm).

Matt Corker comes in for Russian international Kirill Kulemin in the second row for what will be appearance number 155 for the Exiles, and reforms his partnership with captain Jonathan Mills from the Championship final.

There’s wholesale changes in the back row with Mike Denbee named at openside in place of Lee Beach and Ed Jackson selected at number eight – the position from which he contributed 11 tries to Welsh’s Championship winning season.

Daniel Browne moves from number eight to blindside flanker in place of Ed Williamson.

The only change in the backs is at scrum half, where Welsh give a first start to Tyson Keats, who joins the Exiles from Italian side Aironi Rugby.

Friday’s meeting will be the first between the two clubs since Harlequins’ 2005/06 National League One promotion winning season. Harlequins winning both games, which were both played at the Stoop, 43-23 and 28-17.

London Welsh: 15. Tom Arscott, 14. Phil Mackenzie*, 13. Sonny Parker*, 12. Hudson Tonga’uiha*, 11. Joe Ajuwa, 10. Gordon Ross*, 9. Tyson Keats, 1. Frank Montanella*, 2. Neil Briggs, 3. Paulica Ion*, 4 Jonathan Mills ©, 5. Matt Corker, 6. Daniel Browne, 7. Mike Denbee, 8. Ed Jackson.

Replacements: 16. Dan George, 17. Tom Bristow, 18. Arthur Joly, 19. Kirill Kulemin*, 20. Alfie To’oala*, 21. Nick Runciman, 22. Seb Jewell, 23. Nick Scott.

* Denotes full international

London Welsh sign Daniel Browne

Posted on Jun 19, 2012

London Welsh have further strengthened their squad for next season with the signing of versatile forward Daniel Browne.

Browne, 33, is equally comfortable at number 8, blindside flanker or in the second row, and joins the Exiles from last season’s French Pro D2 champions Grenoble.

Physically very strong and athletic, with a high work rate, Browne brings a wealth of Premiership and Heineken Cup experience to London Welsh.

Born in Auckland, Browne had a spell with Bedford Blues after first arriving from New Zealand, before joining Grenoble in 2002, where he benefited latterly from the tutelage of former England and Lions international Dean Richards.

He spent three seasons in France before joining Northampton Saints in 2005, where he made his Premiership debut.

After two seasons at Franklin’s Gardens, Browne moved on to Bath, where he spent three seasons. In 2008 he was part of the Bath side that won the Amlin Challenge Cup, beating Worcester Warriors 24-16 in the final at Kingsholm.

He joined Leeds Carnegie in 2010 before returning to Grenoble last season.

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