London Welsh appoint ex-Blues coach Justin Burnell

London Welsh have appointed Justin Burnell as their new head coach following the departure of Lyn Jones.

Burnell, 45, has previously coached at Cardiff Blues and will join the set-up "almost immediately", with pre-season training commencing on 17 June.

"I look to build upon the foundations laid over the last couple of seasons, with the aim of regaining Premiership status," Burnell said.

"This represents a huge and exciting opportunity for me."

Burnell was a joint head coach and forwards coach of Cardiff Blues and helped to guide them to a Heineken Cup quarter-final in 2012. The club said that he had been drawn from a three-man shortlist of "very strong candidates".