Financial Difficulty Could Force London Welsh Out Of Home Stadium

Rugby side London Welsh has lost around £4M ($6.15M) over the last two seasons, according to Chris Jones of the London EVENING STANDARD. Welsh lost £1.8M ($2.77M) while gaining promotion to the Premiership and its "debut season in the top flight has incurred losses" of around £2.2M ($3.38M). The club’s major financial supporter Kelvin Bryon "will end his backing this summer, leaving Welsh with no option but to cut costs" as it prepares for life in the Championship (EVENING STANDARD, 4/16).

WELSH COULD LEAVE KASSAM STADIUM: In London, Robert Kitson reported the club said that "it could cease playing in Oxford next season." Exiles Chair Bleddyn Phillips said the club is no longer "obligated" to stay at the Kassam Stadium and admitted "the current rental charges would be 'prohibitive' and make it 'financially imprudent' to continue playing there." Welsh CEO Tony Copsey "has also confirmed he has stepped down" as the club looks to streamline its business (GUARDIAN, 4/15).