Aviva Premiership: London Welsh captain Tom May seeks response against Bath

Tom May admits London Welsh have little time to feel sorry for themselves as they prepare for Saturday’s trip to Bath.

The Exiles were given a baptism of fire on their return to the Aviva Premiership last Sunday as Exeter Chiefs ran in seven tries in a 52-0 win at the Kassam Stadium.

Welsh now head to The Rec to take on a Bath side looking to make it two wins from two following their victory at Sale Sharks.

"If you feel sorry for yourself you really do get burnt. There's no time for that,” said team captain May.

I'm very disappointed and it hurts; if it doesn't hurt then you're in the wrong sport. But I've still got 100 per cent belief in what we're doing.

"We know what's expected now and we know the level we need to be at. We know that if we're not at that level we'll get stung.

"I'm very disappointed and it hurts; if it doesn't hurt then you're in the wrong sport. But I've still got 100 per cent belief in what we're doing. I know we can be competitive.

"Against Exeter we didn't put enough opportunities away; we need to be better.

"We just need to hold that period of time when we're in control of the ball and putting our attack in to shape, because we did some good stuff out there. We just turned the ball over at the wrong points.”

Chances

Welsh had their chances in the first half against the Chiefs but ended it trailing 17-0 at the break. Dave Ewers' early second-half try set the tone and took the wind from Welsh sails.

"There was no lack of effort and that was plain for everyone to see. It's just about being more accurate, keeping the ball in the right areas,” added May.

"We coughed the ball up in their 22 a few times and you get punished for that. We needed to capitalise on the good parts of our game.

"For 20 minutes of the first half we were more than competitive and we should have taken our chances, but it's a 50-point drubbing.

"Take it on the chin, use it, learn from it and get better individually and as a group. That's what we'll do and we'll fly into Bath.

"It's about keeping your head up, belief in what we're about, belief in how we go about doing things and rising to the challenge because that's what this league is about.”