Wales international Sam Cross has made an early switch to 15-a-side rugby by signing a deal with the Ospreys.
The 26-year-old Wales Sevens star was due to make the full-time move to 15s next season, but the birth of his first child has seen him opt to stay in Wales for the rest of the reason - rather than fly around the world on the Sevens circuit.
Cross had been a shock Wales call-up in the autumn after just two games of 15s rugby for the Ospreys, featuring against Australia and Georgia, before not playing another game until recently through injury - fading back to obscurity as quickly as he rose to prominence.
But a couple of recent performances for the region have shown why 2016 Olympic silver medalist Cross is putting his eggs into the 15s basket early on, even if it means missing out on the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April.
“Sevens has been a big part of my development over the last few years and I’m sad to leave the programme, but I’m excited looking at the future” said 26-year old Cross.
“I’ve been looking to transition and the Sevens have given me the opportunity to come to the Ospreys to develop my fifteen a side game and it’s worked out well for me, being able to earn a contract for myself for the next two years.
“It’s been brilliant, the opportunities have been there, and it feels like I’ve taken them. The conditioning now is going to be pretty different for me, I’m going to get a full pre-season with the Ospreys to help me become a fifteens player.
“The last four years have been huge for me with the Sevens. There’s no other feeling like coming home from the Olympics with a medal, as a rugby player you never think you’ll have the opportunity to do that. The cities I’ve been with the Sevens, the memories, but I’ve always had my eye on the transition and I’m thankful for the opportunity to do that.”
Wales Sevens head coach Gareth Williams believes that the player’s departure will be a short-term blow to the program, but said: “We have actively played a part in exploring opportunities in the 15s game for Sam and, as a result, he gained international honors during the Autumn campaign last year.
“We also supported him and his partner through the birth of their daughter early this year, and respect and understand his desire not to travel due to this happy new development in his life.”
Williams has stated that helping players to realize their 15s ambitions is a fundamental part of the Sevens program, but admitted he had hoped to have Cross’s services in a significant year for the sport.
Cross, who has scored three tries in five games for the Ospreys, played in over 40 sevens tournaments for his country, won an Olympic silver medal in Rio 2016, and was last season named the DHL Impact Player of Year in the World Rugby Sevens Series.
“As a team, we are delighted Sam has secured a long-term future in regional rugby, although it is a disappointment ahead of April’s Commonwealth Games, the Sevens World Cup in July, and the remainder of the World Rugby Sevens Series.”