HEAD coach Rowland Phillips has neither confirmed or denied rumours linking London Welsh with a move to the Guinness Pro12.

Speculation has grown that the Exiles, along with Greene King IPA Championship side London Scottish, could join the Celtic league.

Irish sides Leinster, Munster and Ulster, Welsh clubs Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets, Scottish teams Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors, as well as Italian outfits Benetton Treviso and Zebre, make up the competition.

While Welsh are already preparing for life back in the Championship, Phillips did not dismiss the idea, although he described the link as speculation.

“I’ve not heard or spoken to anybody about this, but it’s an interesting concept and it seems quite exciting,” he said.

“From rumours to fact to setting it up, it takes time.

“I deal with what things are and not what might be.”

It has been reported that Welsh have held discussions behind the scenes but a Pro12 statement said: “There has been no official or unofficial contact.”