LONDON Welsh have suffered a major blow with the news that stalwart captain Jon Mills has left to join Sale Sharks.


Mills, who was the Exiles player of the year last season, was announced as a Sale player today.


The 28-year-old lock was Welsh’s longest serving player and seen to epitomise their battling spirit in the Aviva Premiership.


Welsh played at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium last season, but have yet to announce if they will stay in the city next year.


Their relegation to the Championship will be confirmed tonight if Newcastle beat Bedford in the play-off final.


Meanwile, London Welsh hooker Neil Briggs has signed for Leicester Tigers, the Premiership champions announced today.
 

Briggs was one of Welsh’s standout players in the top-flight last season, but joins the exodus as they prepare for life back in the second tier.


Also moving to Leicester is former Oxford University student, back-row forward Jamie Gibson.