London Welsh - end of an era

I'm a big one for tradition, but isn't it time London Welsh changed it's name.

No longer should it be called London Welsh, which was the traditional team for Welsh exiles living in London. They no longer play in London, they court players from all over the world, recent signings, Lachlan McGaffrey, Piri Weepu, Pablo Henn, Eddie Aholelei, Tim Molenaar a few to mention...

This side, heaped in history and tradition has moved away from its roots.

I have no problem with what they are doing, but I think it's time to rethink the brand and change their name.

I have the same issue with London Irish.

Anyone agree, disagree or don't care two hoots...

Being as I am good friends with Justin Burnell I shall have to disagree 

London Welsh is all about the history and prestige and the name should stay

Even if it was to change what would you suggest they should be called?

I agree though that if they sustain Premiership rugby a move back to London should be done although again I am not sure where they could move to unless you redeveloped Old Deer Park

As a Leinster fan who was in Twickenham v London Irish in Jan 2010. I would say it was weird and surreal to hear a London announcer shouting "cam on you oirish" especially when he did not mean us.

However there is no harm in it, should they have to pass a test of Irishness?

Where do we draw the line? Should Saracens be forced to move to the middle east.

We could call them the oxford mercs

As an Irish fan these type of arguments do annoy me slightly. Maybe to outsiders it seems preposterous that names such as London Irish and London Welsh can be retained by clubs that play outside of London and have relatively few players representing them from their respective countries. However, the club's identity has changed over time in the same way that all clubs identities changed in order to keep pace with the professional game. London Irish and London Welsh stand for something quite different these days, but as clubs founded on providing a home for exiled communities, their friendly ethos and welcoming attitude to players from across the globe is not all that different to the grounds on which they were founded. The history of the name is incredibly important. I do not live in London and am not Irish (really), but would stop supporting the club if they changed their name.

Not Nots, or possibly Not Not Nots.

I'm not sure they still have their club roots, sad but true.

justified sinner wrote:Not Nots, or possibly Not Not Nots.

I'm not sure they still have their club roots, sad but true.

Both clubs are run, owned and supported by people of Irish and Welsh heritage.

St John The Enforcer wrote:Where do we draw the line? Should Saracens be forced to move to the middle east.

Oh YES PLEASE   

Steffan wrote:

Even if it was to change what would you suggest they should be called?

How about the London Welsh Overseas Player Pension Plan... Maybe not very catchy but is more accurate than London Welsh...  

St John The Enforcer wrote:Where do we draw the line? Should Saracens be forced to move to the middle east.

Seems they already have, kinda!

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/25584.php

London Irish have 7 Irish players. The numbers seem to be growing again. No harm in remembering and celebrating your roots.

On a similar note should the Scarlets change their name when they are wearing thier change strip?

And Northampton are no Saints. And come to think of it are there any actual pirates playing with Cornwall. And it's a long time since I saw a Tiger take the field for Leicester.

Kingshu wrote:On a similar note should the Scarlets change their name when they are wearing thier change strip?

My dad is a printer and has said a few times that the red of our shirt is not a true scarlet, so maybe we should.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:And Northampton are no Saints.  And come to think of it are there any actual pirates playing with Cornwall.  And it's a long time since I saw a Tiger take the field for Leicester.

Shame it would make stealing balls at the breakdown easier.

Wouldn't renaming both teams '5 points to the opposition' be more appropriate?

There are no falcons in Newcastle - plenty of dodgy birds in the Bigg Market though   

London Welsh will still be based at ODP, the Premier side has to play at the Kassam satdium but the amateur set and youth set up will still be based in Richmond.

The Prem side will train there occasionally and keep it as their base for fucntions and corporate events etc.

GunsGerms wrote:London Irish have 7 Irish players. The numbers seem to be growing again. No harm in remembering and celebrating your roots.

They seem to have done an efficient job in forgetting and expunging their Scottish and Richmond roots.

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:London Irish have 7 Irish players. The numbers seem to be growing again. No harm in remembering and celebrating your roots.

They seem to have done an efficient job in forgetting and expunging their Scottish and Richmond roots.

Really? Pretty sure we have a number of Scottish internationals, Cross, Low and Cowan spring immediately to mind, and Joe Ansbro is also on the rugby committee. Having said that, Scottish and Richmond aren't really roots now are they.

St John The Enforcer wrote:As a Leinster fan who was in Twickenham v London Irish in Jan 2010. I would say it was weird and surreal to hear a London announcer shouting "cam on you oirish" especially when he did not mean us.

However there is no harm in it, should they have to pass a test of Irishness?

Where do we draw the line? Should Saracens be forced to move to the middle east.

That ship sailed ages ago: http://abudhabisaracens.com/  

There are no falcons in Newcastle - plenty of dodgy birds in the Bigg Market though

Although there are a couple of badass Spuggie Hawks
knocking sh1te out of the pigeons in the Town.

You are right about the Bigg Market though.

Always enjoyed it when the cardiff Blues wear their away strip playing a team wearing blue, and the confusion when the ref says ' Its Blue ball '