Allen played on the wing for Wales against Tonga and Samoa on the summer tour, but is hoping to push for a place in the centre at the Liberty Stadium when the new campaign gets underway.
“I have signed as a centre and that’s where I want to play, but I understand that if I’m asked to play on the wing I’ll have to do that. I’m happy with that,” said Allen.
“It is a little bit different putting on an Ospreys badge after six years at the Blues, but it has been easy to settle in here. I know a lot of the boys here and I have grown up with a lot of them through the Under 20s and the Welsh international set-up.”
One of the main attractions for making the switch was the chance for Allen to team up again with his former Wales Under 18 backs coach Gruff Rees. A break from the Arms Park, where the 24-year-old won his first four caps, is all about playing regularly once again.
Not that he will have a free passage into the Ospreys midfield. Josh Matavesi may have left for Newcastle Falcons, but Allen will still have to vie with fellow Welsh international Ashley Beck, Kieron Fonotia, Ben John, the returning James Hook, fit again Owen Watkin and rising Wales Under 20 star Kieran Williams for a centre position.
“The season before last was very frustrating – I had a few injuries and only played six games. Last year I didn’t play many games for different reasons,” said Allen.
“In the end, I was grateful to get the chance to play some sevens rugby again for Wales. Now I’m just looking forward to a new challenge.
“I wouldn’t say I was low on confidence going on the summer tour, but coming off the tour my confidence was high having played two games on the wing. I played pretty well and now I want to carry that form though into the new season.
“The Ospreys are a pretty good team and I’m just looking to get familiar with the players here and get some games under my belt. I played under Gruff Rees at Under 18 level and he got a lot out of me.
“Gruff understands me as a player and knows how to get the best out of me. He is one of the main reasons I came here.”
