Darren Waters mnay have only made two appearances for London Welsh in the Premiership this term, but director of rugby Steve Lewis believes he has what it takes to help the exiles make a swift return to the top flight.

The former Newport Gwent Dragons flanker this week became the 15th member of the current squad to aqree terms to take on a Championship title bid next season.

Waters has missed most of this season after injuring his knee in training in August, but has impressed in two starts against Wasps and Leicester Tigers in recent weeks.

“After a really frustrating season with injury Darren has shown the sort of form in recent weeks which persuaded us to bring him to London Welsh last summer," said Lewis.

“His performances against Wasps and Leicester, in particular, were outstanding.

"Darren’s a wholehearted openside in the traditional mould – he is excellent at the breakdown, wins turnovers and disrupts opposition’s ball, but he is also effective in attack, has great hands and a good off-loading game.”

Club captain Matt Corker agreed a contract extension for next term over the weekend, while head coach Rowland Phillips - originally signed until the end of this term - has also pledged his immediate future to the Old Deer Park outfit. 

There remains a chance Welsh will remain in the Premiership should London Scottish - beaten 27-22 by Worcester Warriors in the fie first leg of their semi-final on Saturday - prevail in the Championship play-offs this term.

But if they do eventually drop out of the top flight, Phillips is ready for the inevitable. 

“I’m excited about the challenge of guiding the club back to the Aviva Premiership and we have already begun planning for next season,"

“Against Leicester Tigers we fielded 11 players in our starting line up committed to the club for next season, with six more on the bench, and that bodes well for next season’s Championship campaign.

“Add to that the signings of Josh Drauniniu, Martyn Thomas, Guy Armitage, Kieran Murphy, Ryan Hodson, Gus Jones, Will Skuse, Joe Carlisle and Josh Davies, and we are building a strong competitive squad for next season.”

Re-signed for 2015/16: Seb Jewell, Alan Awcock, Nic Reynolds, James Lewis, Will Robinson, Nathan Trevett, Koree Britton, Nathan Morris, Ben Cooper, Olly Barkley, Rob Lewis, Ben Pienaar, Chris Elder, Matt Corker and Darren Waters.

Already under contract for 2015/16: Richard Thorpe, Ben West, Ricky Reeves, Jack Gilding, Eddie Aholelei, Josh McNally and Jesse Liston.

New signings: Josh Drauniniu (Worcester Warriors), Martyn Thomas (Wasps), Guy Armitage (London Irish), Kieran Murphy (Brive), Ryan Hodson (Jersey), Gus Jones (Wasps), Will Skuse (Bath Rugby), Joe Carlisle (Treviso) and Josh Davies (Plymouth Albion).