DEFENCE coach Ollie Smith admits it has been a testing start to the season, but is backing London Welsh to put things right.

The Exiles lie bottom of rugby’s Aviva Premiership table after losing 52-0 to Exeter and 53-26 to Bath.

Welsh visit Sale Sharks on Saturday and Smith knows they must tighten up if they are to survive in the top flight.

“It’s been a busy couple of weeks,” admitted Smith, right. “I have learnt so much.

“I have probably learnt more defensively in the last two weeks than in the previous six or seven months.

“Against good teams, we are going to concede points. There’s no doubt about that.

“That’s the difference in class between the top and the bottom. But there are things we can fix.

“We are better defensively than those scores. There is no doubt about it.”

Smith said the intensity of the Premiership had surprised him, but also stressed some of the tries they conceded against Exeter and Bath were unlucky.

“You take out those three or four tries, then the scorelines are a bit more respectable,” he added.

“Last weekend, our tackles stats were a bit better, but the individual errors cost us.

“Two mistakes will usually cost you a try in the Premiership compared to maybe ten in the Championship.”

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