AVIVA PREMIERSHIP

OLLIE Smith would sacrifice flowing rugby to grind out a win at Sale Sharks today.

London Welsh’s defence coach says there have been positives, despite the Exiles conceding more than 100 points in their opening two games.

But asked if he would settle for a 9-3 win today, Smith replied: “I would rip your arm off for that.

“We are here to win.

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“We want to play entertaining rugby and entertain the fans, but we are here to stay in the Premiership and have got to find ways to win.”

Smith also stressed that the squad were not too down after heavy defeats to Exeter and Bath.

“We are professional rugby players and strive to get better each week,” he said.

“I would be more worried if what we are doing now was all we could do and we couldn’t get better.

“It’s about making sure we make that transition sooner rather than later.

“We don’t have time to lick our wounds.

“The players are not down, but we knew it was going to be a tough test.

“We are playing against some fantastic teams.

“But we still feel we are more than capable of playing at this level.”

THE London Welsh Business Club to link Oxfordshire firms together will be launched at the club’s next home game against Gloucester on Friday, September 26.

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