A FORMER Monmouth student is gearing up for his Commonwealth Games bow in the much-anticipated Rugby Sevens competition this weekend.

The former Head Boy at Monmouth School for Boy, Hallam Amos, was a surprise inclusion in Wales’ squad for the Gold Coast showpiece.

Hallam will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Old Monmothian, Lewis Oliva, who captured a silver medal in the men’s keirin cycling event last Friday.

“I have been looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere of the tournament because these things don’t happen very often,” said Hallam, who has won 15 senior caps for Wales.

“When the opportunity presents itself, it’s one you have to grab with both hands and hopefully I will be able to do that.”

The Dragons ace enjoyed a superb autumn for Warren Gatland’s Wales side when he played in all four Test matches, scoring tries against Australia and Georgia.

But Hallam, from Cross Ash, suffered an ankle injury on Boxing Day, which kept him out of action during a crucial period, and he did not feature for Wales in the Six Nations.

Wales will line up in Pool D and begin their Sevens programme on Saturday (14th April) with matches against Uganda (1.59am UK time), Sri Lanka (8.31am), England (9.59am) and Fiji (12.33pm).

The fixtures to decide the final team placings and the medallists take place on Sunday (15th April) – the last day of the Commonwealth Games.

Hallam, who is studying Medicine at Cardiff University, said: “Sevens rugby is quite different to training in the 15-a-side game because there is a lot more top-end speed.

“Six years ago when I was 16/17 I went to a couple of Sevens’ tournaments, in Moscow and Lyon, and a lot of those boys are still playing for Wales.

“I am really enjoying my time with the team and getting back into it.”

He added: “Training for Sevens is far more skills focused. Coming to a completely different environment has been brilliant and it’s also exciting to be with a new set of boys and to learn new calls.”