Rowland Phillips insists he is not thinking about becoming London Welsh’s permanent head coach and is only focused on the Aviva Premiership game at home to Bath tomorrow (2.30).
The Exiles could be relegated before they kick-off at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium if Newcastle Falcons pick up a win or draw against London Irish today.
Phillips takes charge for the first time since he replaced Justin Burnell until the end of the season, but would not be drawn on whether he would still be leading the Ex - iles next year.
“I am just thinking about the fixtures I have ahead of us,” he said.
Welsh have five games left to avoid becoming, statistically, the worst side in Premiership history.
Latest Sport news
Phillips said the prospect of dropping back down to the Greene King IPA Championship has not been discussed.
The 49-year-old said: “We want to test ourselves against Bath.
“We know they are a quality team, but we want to hold our heads high and enjoy ourselves.”
Seb Jewell returns at full back and team captain Tom May at inside centre.
Koree Britton comes in at hooker and Ben Cooper at tight-head prop.
Dean Schofield starts in the second row and Carl Kirwan returns at openside flanker.
London Welsh: Jewell, Stegmann, Reynolds, May (capt), Awcock, Roberts, R Lewis, Trevett, Britton, Cooper, Schofield, Down, McCaffrey, Kirwan, Fonua. Reps: Morris, Aholelei, Gilding, West, Thorpe, Rowley, Robinson, J Lewis.
Bath: Homer, Rokoduguni, Burgess, Eastmond, Woodburn, Devoto, Young, Auterac, Webber, Palma-Newport, Hooper (capt), Day, Fearns, Faosiliva, Houston. Reps: Batty, Obano, Lahiff, Garvey, Sisi, Cook, Banahan, Agulla.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here