Former Premiership Rugby side London Welsh, one of "the oldest and most storied clubs in English rugby," received a boost in its bid to secure its "long-term survival when a winding-up order was dismissed at the high court" shortly before the club announced an "imminent takeover by a California-based investment group," according to Dan Lucas of the London GUARDIAN. Representatives of Revenue & Customs told the court on Monday the club’s outstanding tax bill -- the size of which was not disclosed -- "had been paid in full." The case was "immediately dismissed with costs." The takeover by the unnamed group "is still subject to approval from the RFU" but in a statement, London Welsh said, "The financial security which will be afforded the club as a result of this new investment will now enable it to plan for the future with confidence and renewed enthusiasm." It was reported over the weekend the club owed £27,000 ($35,900) in rent at its Old Deer Park home in Richmond upon Thames and that the club’s players "were not paid last month." London Welsh would not comment on that when contacted but the wording of its statement and reference to "planning for the future with confidence" suggests it is not a concern (GUARDIAN, 9/5).
