“Not just for myself but also my family,” adds the sevens stalwart from Ynysybwl. “Just to be named in the squad was a relief, because it’s something that’s been built up over the past 18 months. It’s a massive thing for me.”
The intensity in training has already been high throughout the early part of the season, what with Wales competing on the relentlessly challenging World Rugby Sevens Series. However, Thomas believes it will now go up another level. “Coming up to this period of the season with the Commonwealth Games and finishing off with the Sevens World Cup in San Francisco, the intensity’s probably going to go through the roof now, but we’re all looking forward to it.”
The selection of Justin Tipuric and Hallam Amos in Gareth Williams’s Commonwealths squad last week caught many people’s attention – and for good reason, according to Thomas. “Their quality and experience of playing international rugby is going to be significant coming into squad,” says the forward. “It’s going to boost us. Justin played sevens for Wales a few years ago, so he’s no stranger to the game, and Hallam’s attacking prowess is going to be really positive.”
Along with those headline inclusions, of equal significance is the return to fitness of some of Wales’ brightest sevens talents. “A few of the boys have picked up injuries throughout the season which has led to them missing tournaments,” explains the 31-year-old. “But to have the likes of Ethan Davies, Luke Treharne and Morgan Williams back is fantastic.
“They would have been disappointed not to have played a big part throughout the World Series so far – and we’ve missed what they bring to the table – but them being fresh for the Commonwealth Games could suggest it was a blessing in disguise.”
It’s hard to know what to expect from Wales’ group, with opponents ranging from Olympic champions Fiji to Sri Lanka, a relatively unknown quantity. “Fiji have picked up a bit of form lately, winning two of the last three World Series titles,” Thomas says. “We don’t know much about Sri Lanka, but we played Uganda in Dubai and they’re a bit of a tricky team.
“It’s a difficult group, but then they all are. If we can win our first two games, then it’ll more or less be a quarter-final match straight up against Fiji.”
The Commonwealth Games Sevens will be held from 13th-15th April. You can view the full schedule here. For news on the Team Wales women’s sevens squad, click here.
Team Wales – Men’s Sevens: Luke Treharne, Morgan Williams, Angus O’Brien, Luke Morgan, Owen Jenkins, Tom Williams, Ethan Davies, James Benjamin, Adam Thomas (C), Justin Tipuric, Hallam Amos, Benjamin Roach
Reserves: Tomi Lews, Harri Millard
