EBBW Vale will be reunited with former coach Rowland Phillips when they take on London Welsh in a pre-season friendly, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Exiles will head to Eugene Cross Park on Friday, August 28 (kick-off 7.30pm) as preparation for their return to the English Championship after a winless year in the Aviva Premiership.

Welsh are coached by Phillips, who spent a season with Ebbw in 2009/10, and boast former Steelmen James and Rob Lewis in their ranks along with ex-Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Darren Waters and former Newport wing Alan Awcock.

Vale start their pre-season campaign against Moseley at Billesley Common on Saturday, August 15 (kick-off 2.30pm) – heading to the West Midlands after being pipped 21-18 last summer – and then make the short trip to Pontypool on Saturday, August 22.

Ebbw will join their Principality Premiership rivals at the Foster’s National Sevens at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, August 30.