Defending champions Llandovery will be out to defend their title at the annual sevens tournament on Sunday 28th August and Pugh, who was GB 7s women’s assistant coach in Rio, is already looking ahead to the tournament with relish.
“In effect this will be my first day in my new role as assistant coach to Gareth Williams,” said Pugh who was part of the Wales squad which claimed Rugby World Cup Sevens glory in Dubai in 2009.
“The Foster’s 7s is a huge tool at the start of the season to see what strength in depth we have within Welsh rugby.
“It gives boys the chance who are playing at Premiership level to play sevens to show myself and Gareth what they can do. We are always on the lookout for players who haven’t played much sevens but can show they have the capabilities because it is a different game to 15-a-side.
“You need different attributes, you don’t necessarily have to be playing regional or international level to become a world class sevens player and that is something we need to keep looking at.
“After the Olympics the profile of sevens has risen dramatically so the Foster’s 7s will be a great way for players and supporters to feel part of that and it’s a great way to kick off the season,” he added.
Alongside countryman James Davies, Wales 7s core player Sam Cross was among the players to claim a silver medal with Great Britain in Rio. Cross has previously competed at the Foster’s 7s for Welsh Students and Pugh sees no reason why other players who put their hand up next week, couldn’t be starring for Team GB in four years’ time in Japan.
“We’re building now to a RWC Sevens and Commonwealth Games (both in 2018) and from that there is another Olympics cycle in four years’ time so it’s a great time for sevens at the moment,” said Pugh.
“The profile of sevens is only going to get even bigger and the Foster’s 7s is a great shop window for semi-professional players.
“Sevens is a unique game with different mental attributes required and skills need to be spot on in both attack and defence. It’s great the boys from the Premiership have a chance at the Foster’s 7s to showcase the game.”
Reflecting on his own time in Rio where GB women just finished outside the medals with a fourth place, Pugh said: “It was an amazing experience, gutting we didn’t quite medal but being home now and watching the Games on TV you realise just how special an experience it was.”
All 16 clubs in the expanded Principality Premiership will compete at the fourth Foster’s 7s tournament at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 28 August. A whole day of fast-paced action is planned with a Cup and Plate competition and the women will also be in action hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jasmine Joyce who shone for GB Women in Rio.
