Former England fly half Olly Barkley has revealed he signed a new contract at London Welsh because he has unfinished business with the Oxford-based club.

The 33-year-old, who was a member of the 2007 World Cup squad, has agreed a one-year deal.

Barkley was one of the club’s big-name signings last summer, along with New Zealand World Cup-winner Piri Weepu, who left the club in February.

However, he has been unable to prevent relegated Welsh from losing all 19 of their Aviva Premiership matches this season.

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The Exiles have picked up just one bonus point and are on course to be statistically the worst club in Premiership history with three games remaining.

However, former Bath and Gloucester half back, Bark-ley has no qualms about dropping down to the Greene King IPA Championship and is determined to be a success at the Exiles.

He said: “When I joined I had a very strong idea of what I wanted to achieve.

“I wanted them to stay up, I knew it would be a challenge, and it has not happened this year.

“I have a little bit of unfinished business and I have never been one to hop from club to club.

“Despite us going down, I still feel there is a lot to play for.”

Barkley has been hit by injuries this season, but has still played 21 games in all competitions, scoring 40 points with the boot.

With Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union planning to increase the league to 14 clubs in 2016-17 and ring-fence the division, Barkley is fully aware of the importance of an immediate return to the top tier.

“It does put pressure on us, but with the squad we have, it shows we are trying to plan well for promotion,” he said.

“The potential of ring-fencing is an opportunity of security the club has never had in the past.”