Shropshire's Sam Egerton earns London Welsh chance

Shropshire's Sam Egerton has taken another step towards a professional rugby career – with a shock appearance for London Welsh in the British & Irish Cup.

The scrum-half was spotted when helping Oxford University to a 28-10 victory over Cambridge in the Varsity match at Twickenham earlier this month.

He was due to make an appearance for hometown club Newport in their National League Three Midlands clash at Manchester on Saturday.

But the former Adams Grammar School pupil's plans altered on Thursday night when he was approached by Championship high-fliers London Welsh, who wanted him for their cup clash away to Leinster A.

And his trip to Ireland proved worthwhile as he came on as a 72nd minute replacement in the Exiles' 24-24 draw.

"Sam called me on Thursday evening to ask what he should do," Newport coach Stephen Dolphin revealed.

"I told him there was no question to answer – he had to take the opportunity because these chances don't come along very often.

"It was good that he managed to get on and he's doing really well," added Dophin.

"Everyone at Newport is proud of him."

London Welsh overturned an 18-point deficit to draw the game but it was still not enough to stop them bowing out of the cup.

They had needed a victory to progress to the quarter-finals as Pool Four winners.

See also:

• Former Newport scrum half plays for Oxford at Twickenham