Rowland Phillips is relishing the opportunity after being unveiled as London Welsh’s new defence coach.

The 49-year-old former Wales international has left his role as Neath’s director of rugby to join the Exiles with immediate effect.

He joins head coach Justin Burnell’s staff alongside Gordon Ross, Matt Ferguson and Ollie Smith, who had been in charge of defence.

And with Oxford-based Welsh having conceded 399 points in the course of nine straight defeats, Phillips has his work cut out.

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“The Aviva Premiership is a huge challenge, but the challenge makes it even more exciting,” he said.

“We’ve clearly identified that the defence needs to be improved and that’s going to be my job.

“After two seasons with Aironi in the Pro 12 it’s great to be stepping back up into a full-time professional rugby environment.

“I know Justin very well and I’ve got a lot of respect for him, as well as Steve Lewis (director), and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Phillips returned to Neath last summer, but could not reprise the form that saw him lead them to four successive Welsh Premiership titles.

A former defensive coach with Wales and the Ospreys, Phillips also has past links with London Welsh.

He scored 18 tries in 66 appearances while captaining the club as a No 8 in the late 1990s.

“As a player I had two great seasons at London Welsh and it’s great to be coming back to the club,” he said.

“My first season we were in Division 1 and we got promoted alongside Worcester, so I’ve got a good strong connection to the club and I have very fond memories of my time there.”

Phillips, who also represented Wales and Great Britain at rugby league, slots straight in to help Welsh prepare for Sunday’s LV= Cup clash at home to Gloucester.

Burnell said: “After the first six rounds of the Aviva Premiership what was glaringly obvious was our need to address our defensive issues and we’ve taken steps to do that with the appointment of Rowland as defence coach.

“Rowland was defence coach with Wales and at Aironi and has a huge amount of experience and understanding of the defensive role. We’re bringing Rowland in to tighten up our defence.”

WELSH TALE OF WOE

EXILES’ RECORD IN 2014-15

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP

Sept 7: London Welsh 0, Exeter 52.

Sept 13: Bath 53, London Welsh 26.

Sept 20: Sale 46, London Welsh 8.

Sept 26: L Welsh 10, Gloucester 46.

Oct 4: Harlequins 52, London Welsh 0.

Oct 11: London Welsh 3, Newcastle 23

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP

Oct 18: Lyon 28, London Welsh 18.

Oct 23: London Welsh 20, Bordeaux-Begles 52.

LV= CUP

Nov 1: Bath 47, London Welsh 7.

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