Nottingham skipper Craig Hammond says Saturday's 22-13 victory away at London Welsh was the ideal way to prepare for next month's end-of-season play-offs.

The Green & Whites were already guaranteed to finish in fifth spot in the Championship table.

But they showed no signs of complacency as they ended their regular season with an impressive three-try win.

"To go to London Welsh and get a good win is a tough ask and we can't ask much more than that," Hammond said.

"We're happy to knock over someone above us.

"It wasn't a complete performance and we've still got to try and improve but defensively we were much improved."

James Arlidge, David Jackson and Cesar Sempere all crossed for Glenn Delaney's side at Old Deer Park, with Arlidge adding two conversions and a penalty.

Nottingham now face two away games against Llanelli and Esher in the British and Irish Cup before they begin their play-off campaign in Pool A with another visit to Old Deer Park to face London Welsh on Saturday, 12 March.

The other two teams in Nottingham's play-off pool are last season's defeated finalists Bristol and this year's promotion favourites Worcester.

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