Smith keen to make his mark with Welsh

CROYDON rugby player Ashley Smith has vowed not to stop if he achieves his lifelong goal of playing in the Premiership next season – and aims to make himself a regular fixture on the London Welsh teamsheet.

Smith, who lives in Coulsdon, is an ex-London Wasps academy player but only found his feet in the professional game with the Richmond outfit, playing 11 times as the Exiles won the Championship last term.

The 21-year-old is a fleet-heeled winger who captained his side at the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby Sevens Series final recently, but he couldn't establish himself in the first team last season.

He lost out to the hulking frame of Joe Ajuwa and the 22-year-old Nick Scott, but Smith believes he can turn the tables in the Premiership.

"Joe and Nick were the main wingers last year but it's definitely my aim to get a starting spot this year," he said.

"We haven't got one of the biggest squads in the Premiership so there's going to be a lot of rotation with the Amlin Cup and the LV> Cup - there's so many different competitions so there'll be a lot of opportunities.

"This is only my second season at the club after moving from Stourbridge in National One and before that I was playing at Loughborough Students, so it's a massive step up.

"But my number one goal is playing in the Premiership and it's great that I've made it because I'm in the Premiership now and it's what I've focused on doing throughout my career.

"I'm just setting myself higher goals and I need to keep increasing my speed, strength and power, and playing week in, week out will help that."

Having only had two months to prepare for life in the Premiership, London Welsh, on paper, are hot favourites for relegation but having signed Welsh international stars Gavin Henson and Sonny Parker, Smith believes they stand a good chance of staying up.

But aside from the marquee signings, Smith is backing Ajuwa as the club secret weapon after the 17-stone wing scored 12 tries in 28 games last season.

"I think on the platform we're on now Joe will be doing well and he could showcase himself because he's a big athlete," he added.

"Speed, strength, he's got everything and I think he's one to look out for.

"Obviously we've got the guys like Gavin Henson and Sonny Parker pulling the strings so they're going to help him, and us, massively."

For all the latest news and results from the final round of the J.P Morgan Premiership Rugby Sevens Series, visit www.jpmorgan7s.com