London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell has admitted he will face a selection headache ahead of next week’s top four Championship clash with London Scottish.

The exiles thrashed Edinburgh Academical 73-10 in the British & Irish Cup in a rare appearance at Old Deer Park on Saturday.

Burnell made 15 changes to the team that suffered a first Championship defeat of the season at Bedford Blues and it had the desired effect as his men ran in 10 tries.

Debutant Will Carrick-Smith and Richard Thorpe both crossed twice, with further scores coming from Dante Mama, James Lewis, Joe Ajuwa, Ben West and Mike Denbee, as fly half Will Robinson added 23 points in an exemplary goal-kicking display.

“Those boys weren’t out there to make up the numbers – they were out there to prove that they want to play against London Scottish and some of them certainly did that,” said Burnell.

“Edinburgh worked hard and they disrupted us at times, but you had boys starting who really wanted to prove how good they are.

“It can be difficult when you don’t get a run of games, but they’ve never once moaned.

“They went on to the field and stuck to the structure and didn’t try to go off on individual tangents. I was really pleased.

“You look at young Will Robinson, he hasn’t had a great deal of opportunities behind Gordon Ross, who’s been playing well, but he was fantastic.

“These players might not be playing a great deal of rugby, but they are improving and that’s key for success, which will come to fruition at the end of the season. We have got strength in depth.”

Welsh head to Raeburn Place tomorrow for the return game with Academical, before entertaining traditional derby rivals Scottish on December 21 in a clash between first and third in the table.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Watching on: Justin Burnell, left.