Welsh hold onto coach

 

Phillips took over as head coach role in March.

 

A former London Welsh player, Phillips was previously head coach at Italian sides Aironi and Viadana in the Pro12 and was Wales' defence coach under Gareth Jenkins for the 2007 World Cup.

 

As head coach of Neath he oversaw one of the most successful periods in the club's history, guiding them to four Welsh Premiership titles in a row between 2004/05 and 2007/08.

 

He was also defence coach at the Ospreys, Ebbw Vale and Aironi.

 

As a player, Phillips was capped ten times by Wales and made 290 appearances for Neath.

 

Also capped by Wales and Great Britain in Rugby League, he represented Wales at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. He played his club rugby for Warrington and Workington Town.

 

In 1997 he was brought to London Welsh by Clive Griffiths, who made him captain, and the No.8 missed just one game in his two seasons at the Exiles. 

 

In all, he made 66 appearances for Welsh, scoring 18 tries.

 

London Welsh Director of Rugby Steve Lewis said: "In his short time as head coach of London Welsh we have seen a massive upturn in performances on the pitch and there is a renewed energy about the squad.

 

"Rowland is a vastly experienced coach and as a former London Welsh player he understands the club, and as a club we have no doubt that Rowland is the right man to lead London Welsh back to the Premiership.”

 

Phillips said: "I'm excited about the challenge of guiding the club back to the Premiership and we have already begun planning for next season.

 

"Against Leicester Tigers we fielded 11 players in our starting line-up committed to the club for next season, with six more on the bench, and that bodes well for next season's Championship campaign.

 

"Add to that the signings of Josh Drauniniu, Martyn Thomas, Guy Armitage, Kieran Murphy, Ryan Hodson, Gus Jones, Will Skuse, Joe Carlisle and Josh Davies, and we are building a strong competitive squad for next season.”