LONDON Welsh have suffered a major blow with the news that stalwart captain Jon Mills and hooker Neil Briggs have left the club.

Mills has joined Sale Sharks and Briggs has moved to Leicester Tigers.

Skipper Mills was the Exiles player of the year last season as they lost their battle to stay in the Aviva Premiership, having led them to promotion the previous year.

The 28-year-old lock was their longest serving player and seen to epitomise their spirit in the top flight.

Formerly with Scarlets and Bath, Mills joined the Exiles in 2007 and went on to make 169 appearances for the club, scoring 12 tries.

Sale’s director of rugby, Steve Diamond, said: “Jon-athan can play either lock or back row. He is an inspirational player who leads by example. “His displays in the Premiership last season were outstanding, including a great performance against us at the Salford City Stadium last September.

“I am sure he will be a big asset to us.”

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

Briggs, who will be competing against England hooker Tom Youngs at Leicester, was one of Welsh’s stand-out players last season. He joins the exodus as the Exiles prepare for life back in the second tier.

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

* NEWCASTLE are back in the Aviva Premiership after winning the second leg of their Championship play-off against Bedford.

They triumphed 31-24 last night, having won the first leg at Bedford 18-9, to go through 49-33 on aggregate.

The result confirms London Welsh’s relegation.

The Exiles still harboured slim hopes of survival if Bedford had prevailed, as their facilities are not up to Premiership standards.