London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell and club captain Matt Corker got up close and personal with the new European Rugby Challenge Cup this week.

The pair checked out the trophy when representing the Exiles at the revamped competition’s Twickenham launch.

Welsh will visit Lyon in their opening Challenge Cup clash next Saturday, but Burnell knows that is the bonus compared to today’s crunch clash with Newcastle.

A trip to France may be a welcome distraction from the Premiership and offer Burnell the chance to rotate his squad.

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However, he is happy enough with their attitude after last week’s 52-0 Premiership hammering at Harlequins.

“Surprisingly the mood is still high,” he said.

“Tuesday, after the weekend we had, I was pleasantly surprised and shocked at the mood because it does take its toll, all those points and a lot of the criticism.

“But the lads are training well, no-one is jibbing, there are no excuses.

“Everyone is getting on with it and hopefully there will be chances for other people a week on Saturday out in Lyon.”

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