Aviva Premiership
London Welsh 'won't just sign superstars'
ESPN Staff
June 5, 2014
London Welsh hoist up the Championship trophy, Bristol v London Welsh, RFU Championship play-off, Memorial Ground, June 4, 2014
Justin Burnell celebrates with his side ... but he will not have any time to rest © Getty Images
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Justin Burnell insists that London Welsh are not about "just signing superstars" as they prepare to build a squad for life back in the Premiership after their victory over Bristol in the Championship play-off.

"We have got 36 players on board, but we are going to have to sign another 12 to 15 players," head coach Burnell said. "But I won't just sign people for the sake of it. I would rather move forward and work with the people we have got than do that.

"We are not about just signing superstars, as you have seen this year. We will have to scour the southern hemisphere, but it will be difficult. People who now come into our environment have to fit in to what we are about. It is about the London Welsh environment.

"We have done a certain amount of planning. We are not exactly in a position like Bristol, and it is going to be hard work again. I was hoping to have some time off after a tough season, but it's straight back to London for me and straight back into work on Monday. Everyone else will be dispersing on Friday morning, but not for me."

Burnell said that while he did not think Bristol had taken them for granted "I think it showed today that you can have one philosophy, but if you don't kick the points it's disappointing … but they are a fantastic club, and no doubt they will be pushing for promotion next season, too. However, they will have another big-spending side [Worcester] to compete against."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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