FOLLOWING the success of rugby sevens at the Rio Olympics, the Welsh Rugby Union will hold a talent identification day at the Vale Resort's National Centre of Excellence next month.

With Wales Women hoping to qualify for the Commonwealth Games in 2018, the search is on for more international sevens stars.

After recruiting a former rower and a weightlifter to the 15-a-side game at previous talent ID days, along with current rugby players wanting to put their hands up to step up to the next level, Wales Women Sevens head coach Nick Wakley is confident there will be no shortage of talent.

He said: “On the back of rugby sevens having had such a successful platform at the Olympics to show the world what a fantastic sport it is, and with additional investment from the WRU, Sport Wales and Commonwealth Games Wales, we are looking to accelerate our women’s sevens programme and are keen to target athletes from a variety of sporting backgrounds, along with any current players inspired by the Olympics to step up their commitment to rugby.

“The game is fast-paced, skilful and requires ultimate athletic ability. We know there is plenty of talent out there and we want to attract players to rugby sevens who may never have considered this before and develop them into confident rugby players who I have no doubt will fall in love with the sport very quickly with all that it offers.

“There is an incredibly exciting few years ahead for rugby sevens with the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2017, Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, both of which we hope to be part of, along with the target of securing a place on the World Series which would be a significant game changer for women’s sport in Wales.’’

The talent ID event takes place on Sunday, September 18 and anyone interested in finding out more about Wales Women Sevens opportunities should go to wru.wales/tryourgame