Sam Cross was one of five Welsh players named last week in the GB Sevens training squad ahead of final selection for the Rio Olympics.

Cross was one of three Wales Sevens core players (Luke Treharne and Luke Morgan being the others) selected in Simon Amor’s squad along with Scarlets flanker James Davies and Cardiff Blues centre, Cory Allen.

His selection in the initial squad is down to a huge work ethic on and off the pitch. With just one round left remaining in the HSBC Sevens World Series, Cross is the leading defender on the circuit with 114 tackles next to his name from the previous nine events.

Earlier during the current campaign he joined a select band of Welsh players to have played 100 games on the World Series. He now stands in 6th place overall with 114 games to his credit, having sneaked past Rhys Jones last weekend in Paris, who played 113 games for Wales.

On the eve of this weekend’s London Sevens at Twickenham, Sam took time out to answer the below questions.

Q.1: What was your immediate reaction when told you had made the extended squad for Rio?
I’m obviously over the moon to be named in the initial squad. It’s a great achievement and I’m very excited to get together as a squad and begin the hard work over the summer.

Q.2 At the beginning of the season, was Team GB a target for yourself?
I think every home nation player was targeting being selected for Team GB – it’s a very special and unique opportunity at an event which is the pinnacle of sport.

Q.3 With two rounds of the World Series left, does that give you extra incentive to do well with Wales?
Yeah I think the next two tournaments give us an opportunity to stake a claim down for Rio and kick on in what is going to be a big few months for all of us. The boys will be looking to impress the coaches and show them what we are capable of and the reason we have been selected. And I expect the home nations to be as competitive as ever in the last two legs.

Q.4 What would it mean to you to make the final cut for Rio?
I think it would be a life changing experience it would be a huge honour and an opportunity to achieve something incredible. But there is a long way and a lot of hard work to do up until then and concentrate on making that final 12 for Rio.

Video

VIDEO: Monmouth RFC prove perfect hosts

Related Topics