Jonathan Mills has been confirmed as captain of London Welsh for the coming season.

Mills, 28, led Welsh to the Championships last season and is the Exiles’ longest serving player. The back row forward began his London Welsh career with an unbeaten four-game loan spell from the Scarlets in January 2007, before making the move permanent the following summer.

He made his 100th league appearance for the Exiles in their victory at Leeds Carnegie on the opening weekend of last year’s Championship season. He then endured an injury- interrupted season, before returning to guide them through the play-offs.

In total, he has made 141 appearances for London Welsh, scoring 11 tries, taking over the captaincy in 2010.

“I’m very happy to keep doing the job and delighted that Lyn (Jones) thought I did a good job last season,” said Mills. “I’ve experienced lows during my time with the club, but it’s moving forward now and it’s really exciting times. “The standard of players we’re signing and who want to come to the club shows how far London Welsh has progressed, and hopefully it will keep getting stronger and moving forwards.

“When I first joined the club it was fighting relegation. To now be in the Premiership is very special.”

Coach Jones said: “Jonathan is a good leader and deserves the opportunity to captain London Welsh in the club’s first year of Premiership rugby.”