TAIONE Vea says he can’t let playing in the World Cup with Tonga distract him from London Welsh’s Aviva Premiership challenge.

The 25-year-old tighthead prop has six caps for his country and would love to represent them at next year’s World Cup in England.

But he says key to that will be impressing for the Exiles this season.

“A lot of people are asking me what’s happening with the World Cup,” said Vea, who joined Welsh from Wasps last summer.

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“But although it is close, it is still quite some time away.

“By playing well for my club, I want to be able to put my hand up for the Tongan team.

“I am looking to get as much game time as possible to press my case.

“We’ll just see how things go. The priority is to make sure I do well for London Welsh.”

This autumn, Tonga play the USA on November 15 at a venue to be confirmed, followed by Scotland at Murrayfield the next week.

“It is a great place to be right now, with the World Cup coming here,” added Vea.

“I don’t want to do too much travel around the world if I can.”

Vea has quicky settled into the Exiles squad and starts his third straight league game at Sale today.

“It was my first full pre-season over here,” he said.

“It was great to be with the lads from the start.

“I felt very welcomed and there was a lot of support.”

Despite losing heavily in their first two league games, Vea says Welsh don’t lack confidence.

“We are looking to compete in this league,” he said.

“A lot of people have written us off after the first two matches, but it is such a long season and you can’t do that.

“We made some improvements from the first game, but we are leaking too many points.”

Vea believes victory today can make a big difference.

“Sale is a very winnable game,” he said.

“It’s one we can easily achieve.

“We are definitely targeting it as one we can get maximum points from.”

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