Former Scotland international Gordon Ross can’t wait for Saturday’s visit of Rotherham Titans to Old Deer Park and with good reason.

Following frustrating spells at Saracens and Castres, the London Welsh playmaker has continued from where he left off last season, helping the Exiles up to fourth in the Championship table.

Last season he was central to the club’s promotion push that ended in semi-final heartbreak at Bristol, although on a more personal note the 32-year-old was just happy to be back playing regularly again.

“I just love playing rugby; I love the matches on a Saturday afternoon. I was lucky last season, I managed to play a few games and so far this year I’ve played most of them,” he said.

“It’s a superb opportunity to play professionally. I’ve looked after myself relatively well and feel quite fit, and it’s just a case of trying to avoid injuries and playing as long as I can.”

Ross helped Welsh to a 21-10 win at Plymouth Albion last Saturday and that result, coupled with Rotherham’s victory over Nottingham, sets up an intriguing clash at Old Deer Park on Saturday, as fourth takes on fifth with only points difference separating the sides in the table.

“We could have played better but certainly our work rate in defence was pretty good, but in attack we could have worked a little bit harder and maybe didn’t put Plymouth under enough pressure,” he said.

“But to go down to Plymouth, who haven’t won yet and were desperate to get a win, was a good result. If we’re honest we never really looked like losing the game, but we were disappointed not to get another try or two.”

Victory at Brickfields continued the Exiles’ positive response to Phil Greening’s call for a backlash to Welsh’s sobering defeat at Cornish Pirates, but Ross is acutely aware that despite registering three wins from their opening four Championship games, Welsh are far from the finished article.

“It’s like the old school report card – could do better! Two tries conceded in four games isn’t a bad record, but obviously our discipline hasn’t been good because we’ve conceded 62 points. Teams are getting in kickable positions and we’re giving away soft penalties,” he said.

“When we work together as a team and guys run the right lines we’re very good. We’ve scored two or three very good tries this season off first phase – we’ve carved teams up – and we want to try and do that every weekend.”

It’s four years since Ross last pulled on a Scotland jersey, winning the last of his 25 caps against South Africa in Port Elizabeth, and he concedes to having mixed feelings about his international career.

A record 23-point haul on debut against Tonga was followed by a memorable win over South Africa, but the highlight would come with a Calcutta Cup win over the old enemy during the 2006 Six Nations. However, 14 of Ross’ 25 caps would come off the bench.

“I always felt other guys maybe hadn’t done as well but got a better crack at the whip, so it was frustrating, but I wouldn’t swap it for anything in the world. The stadia and the games you play in, and the places you go – it was fantastic. There is no better feeling than playing for Scotland and I loved every minute of it,” he said.

Despite all he has achieved in the game, ambition still burns bright within Ross, and he has high hopes that those goals can be realised at London Welsh.

“I’d definitely like to win something with Welsh and there’s no reason why with the squad we’ve got, if we can keep it together and we have the ambition and drive to do well, we can get into the Premiership.”

Visit www.London-welsh.co.uk to read the full interview with Gordon Ross.

Next Match: London Welsh v Rotherham Titans Saturday 25th September Old Deer Park, kick off 3pm