Cardiff Blues starlet Jarrod Evans admits he can't wait to strut his stuff against the very best English rugby has to offer - should his side make it past the group stages of the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Series.
The young outside half born and bred in rugby from Pontypridd has come through the Blues pathway since aged 14 and has just returned to training with Cardiff Blues after gaining more valuable experience in Wales’ U20 World Cup campaign.
The Blues will host the Group A event at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday August 15th kick off 3.15pm against fellow Welsh Pro teams Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets.
After kicking off in Wales the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s will then continue at Gloucester Rugby on Thursday August 20.
The only 7s competition in which all 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs take part will also be staged at the Ricoh Arena and Kingston Park as the Series moves around Wales and England.
The top two from each group will then contest the Series Final at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday August 28 and 19-year-old fly-half Evans is looking forward to help Cardiff Blues qualify for the second year running in order to pit his wits against the best.
“You want to be testing yourself against the English sides because they put out strong teams, as we saw last year, and it just shows where you are as a player against those boys,” said Evans, who signed his first senior contract with Cardiff Blues in January.
“It’s ideal just before the season starts to show what you are capable of and keep it fresh in your head going into the 15s.
“I think the tries and looseness of it is so appealing because sometimes in 15s you’re focused on the kicking but a lot of people like the running, beating people and scoring tries side of the game.
“I think it’s getting better every year, it’s always going a step further and it’s good to see.”
Twelve months before rugby returns to the Olympics – in Rio – Premiership Rugby continues to lead the way when it comes to club 7s.
The Singha Premiership Rugby 7s will be an important competition and will start a run-in to the Olympic Games when rugby will be firmly in the world spotlight.
And Cardiff Blues legend Tom Shanklin, who is coaching 7s for the region, says it is a key event in the calendar.
“To get a regional sevens tournament here with a lot of publicity around it and the coverage it is going to get and broadcast on BT Sport is going to be great,” said former Wales international Shanklin.
“It’s a positive move and there’s a chance to play down at Harlequins as well and it’s a good chance for some of the youngsters to get a bit of air time on the TV and to show the public what they are capable of.”
Tickets for all events in the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Series are now on sale:
Cardiff Blues: www.cardiffblues.com/tickets or call 02920 302030
Ospreys: www.eticketing.co.uk/ospreysrugby/ or call 0844 815 6665
Scarlets: www.tickets.scarlets.co.uk or call 0871 871 8088
Newport Gwent Dragons: www.newportgwentdragons.com or call 01633 674 990
Tickets are also available via Ticketmaster click HERE