London Welsh fringe players who put on a battling display against Bordeaux Begles are determined to make the most of another opportunity to force their way into the team on a regular basis, writes Simon Williams.

Many of the more well-established players were rested for Friday night’s game in France and, despite a 26-3 defeat, head coach Justin Burnell took the unusual step of telling the players straight after the game that he would be picking the same side against Lyon tomorrow.

Full-back Chris Elder and No 8 Ben Pienaar – who both received particular praise from Burnell afterwards – said they hoped their performances in the European Challenge Cup games against the two French sides would put them in reckoning for Welsh’s future Aviva Premiership games.

Welcoming Burnell’s move, Pienaar said that normally players did not find out they would be playing until about two days beforehand.

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“It is a massive boost from him to say the same team will be playing next week. It gives us confidence because it shows the coach does trust us,” said Pienaar, whose Premiership appearances have all been from the bench this season.

Elder, who signed from Championship club Plymouth Albion at the end of last season, has not featured in any of the squads for Welsh’s Premiership games so far, with his appearances restricted to cup games.

At only 22, he is more willing than most to bide his time, but is still desperate to help his side as they attempt to pull off an unlikely escape from relegation.

He added: “You are always frustrated when not playing, but there is always room for improvement.

“All of us in that situation are trying to put our hands up and show what we can do and don’t make mistakes that would be costly in a Premiership game.”

Elder said his confidence was personally high going into Sunday’s game at the Kassam Stadium, after he scored his first try for Welsh in a competitive game during the 28-18 defeat at Lyon in October.

Lyon go into Sunday’s game with a chance of qualifying from the pool stage while, for Welsh it will be their sixth and final game in the European Challenge Cup, whatever the result, after five defeats.

However, Pienaar – who cited fellow South African Ricky Januarie, the scrum half who won 47 caps for the Springboks, as the Lyon player to watch – argued that Welsh still had a lot to play for.

He added: “It is going to be a tight game and it is a very important game for Lyon as well as us because they can qualify and we are looking for a win.”

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