Pete Browne is hoping for a fresh start for London Welsh as they begin a new year at home to Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership tomorrow (2.30pm), writes Matthew Bruce.

It’s now six months since the Exiles’ last competitive victory, but Browne feels that the turn of the year has brought fresh optimism.

“It’s a new year and a new start and we want to get it under way positively,” said the forward “It’s an opportunity to get that first win and put the first half of the season behind us.”

At the halfway point of the league season, Welsh find themselves 15 points adrift at the bottom of the table following a disappointing 24-9 defeat at fellow strugglers London Irish on Boxing Day.

But Browne, who joined Welsh from Harlequins in 2013, remains positive that they can overhaul their rivals and beat the drop.

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He added: “I definitely think we can do it, of course we can.

“Once we get our first win our confidence will grow and more results will follow.

“It’s certainly not all over, because we have our Premiership future to play for.”

Fly-half Will Robinson admitted he was disappointed to still be searching for a first win at this stage of the season.

But although Welsh’s chances of victory against a strong Harlequins side appear slim, he believes they are more than capable of beating their illustrious opponents.

“We need to get a good start and get some points on the board in the early stages of the game,” said Robinson.

“Our problem has been not performing for the full 80 minutes in games.

“That’s what we do our jobs for, to play rugby, and we have to do that for the full 80.

“I really believe we can do it.”

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