London Welsh’s friendly with Pontypridd on Saturday is the players’ last chance to stake a claim for a starting place against Exeter Chiefs, says winger Nick Scott.

The Exiles travel to Sardis Road for what will be their final pre-season fixture before the Aviva Premiership gets under way at the Kassam stadium on September 7, when the Chiefs come to Oxford.

Scott, making his first appearance since last term, scored in Sunday’s 38-24 friendly defeat at Wasps to put down his own marker for a starting berth on opening day.

But he has warned it will be just as hard to make an impression on head coach Justin Burnell in Wales tomorrow.

“It’s the last chance everyone’s got to put a marker down to be in the team against Exeter on the opening weekend,” he said.

“We know how good a team Ponty are. It will be a huge challenge and they’ll be out to take our scalp, especially having been promoted, and we’re going to have to be on top form. But it’s also another opportunity to tweak things and try things, and improve on our skills, and to go in to the Premiership season on a high.”

Ponty will be no pushovers as Welsh know only too well from their meetings in last season’s British & Irish Cup – the Exiles losing 29-22 at Sardis Road before winning the return game at the Kassam, 26-23.

“I’m really looking forward to going back – the atmosphere down there last time was incredible,” added Scott.

“They’re a good team, especially at home. It will be another game where we can gauge where we are from last week, and really push on to Exeter.”