Rugby Championship side London Welsh has been granted a temporary license to play its "next two Championship games, despite losing half of their playing staff," according to Chris Jones of the BBC. The club announced on Dec. 7 that it would be "going into voluntary liquidation" and is now "trading temporarily as a new company." Welsh hosts London Scottish on Christmas Eve and is confident it has "enough players to fulfil the fixture." Nineteen senior players "remain on the books," with seven more signed on loan. Coach James Buckland said, "It's been a challenge. We have had to rebuild a squad in quick time. What we have lost in terms of players, we make up in character." The club is set to be deducted 20 points when a liquidator is appointed on Friday, "which will drop the south-west London club from fifth in the Championship to the foot of the table." In January, the Rugby Football Union will rule on whether the club is "able to play the rest of the season." Welsh believes it needs to raise about £300,000 ($368,700) to make this possible, but is "completely positive" about remaining in the second tier. Club Chair Gareth Hawkins said, "We'll play these two games and then have a window in January which will give us time to formalize the license with the RFU" (BBC, 12/22). In London, Daniel Schofield reported to be granted a temporary license, Welsh must prove that it has "public liability insurance and players’ medical insurance." Hawkins appeared confident that the license will be granted and the game at Old Deer Park, which is being shown by Sky, "will go ahead." There is hope of a "bumper crowd" of 1,400 (TELEGRAPH, 12/21).
