Jonathan Mills clasps the Premiership trophy alongside Lyn Jones © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Players/Officials: Jonathan Mills

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | London Welsh | Wales

London Welsh have received a boost ahead of the new season with the news that skipper Jonathan Mills has penned a new deal.

Mills is the club's longest serving current player and joined the side back in 2007. He captained the Exiles to Championship glory last term and is looking forward to kicking on this season in the Aviva Premiership. "I love the club; I've been here so long that I feel part of the furniture," Mills said. "London Welsh is very special to me and I've got a lot of very happy memories here.

"I've made friends for life and everyone has always been great to my wife and I, while on the rugby side it's great that we've taken the club to the Premiership. When I first arrived [January 2007] we were fighting relegation, but London Welsh has always shown an ambition to get promoted and personally it's fantastic to have achieved that goal with the club.

"It's exciting times; not knowing until so late hasn't helped our preparations but the news definitely put a spring in our step coming in for the first day of pre-season on the Monday. There was real enthusiasm among the boys and now we're going to give it our best shot."

London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones added: "I'm delighted for Jon; he's definitely always had the potential to become a Premiership player.

"He had an intermittent season last year, but finished it strongly and was a big influence on London Welsh's game. Next season is a great opportunity for him to fulfil and realise his potential, which he showed some years ago. I hope he can step up and show what he can do."