Exiles scrum-half set for Rec return

Friday, August 10, 2012
1:07 PM

Matt Keyte is relishing the chance to play against former club Bath

London Welsh’s new signing Matt Keyte’s debut will carry extra meaning as he runs out at an old stomping that holds happy memories.

The Premiership’s newest side prepare for tomorrow’s pre-season trip to The Rec with nine of their current playing squad having once pulled on the blue and white of the six-time English champions.

Captain Jonathan Mills, Simon Whatling, Martin Purdy Ed Jackson, Billy Moss, Nick Scott, plus new recruits Daniel Browne and Paulica Ion have also played for the West Country side.

“It’s a great ground and a good place to play so I’m looking forward to,” Keyte told the Exiles’ website. “I definitely have a lot of fond memories of my time at Bath. I really enjoyed being there and it will be good to play there again.”

The scrum-half is also eager to see if his new side – who won the Championship last term – can cut it against one of the top flight’s most established clubs.

“The squad’s coming together now and I’m just looking to the opportunity to get out in a live environment and put everything that we’ve been practising into action in a game,” said Keyte.

“It will be a good chance to see how we gel as a team and what the new signings are made of, including myself. I want just to get out on the pitch and play, get some game time and try to improve.”

Despite his Bath past, though, Moss is very much now a London Welsh player and featured in both legs of the Championship final win over the Cornish Pirates.

“As soon as I came to Welsh I felt that I was a London Welsh player, and I felt like that all year, which is why I was delighted to sign permanently for the club,” he added.

“It was a great season; I peaked and troughed throughout it and I learnt a lot, from Lyn especially. Last season was the best in my career.”