Wing Owen Jenkins has vowed to grab his opportunity at Dragons with ‘both hands’ – even if that means missing out on the Olympic Sevens in Japan.
Jenkins linked up with Dean Ryan’s men in pre-season and after impressing in the Celtic Cup campaign preparations was handed a start in the Guinness PRO14 opener with Munster.
The 26-year-old’s display at Thomond Park won praise from Ryan and after the game the Wales Sevens ace revealed his ambitions to make a permanent move back to 15s.
"I have played sevens for four seasons and thought that if I was to have another crack at 15s then now is the time to do it,” he said.
"I have had chats with (WRU coaches) Gareth Williams and Richie Pugh and they have been a big help in getting me the opportunity to come into the Dragons.
"I have been fortunate enough to get an opportunity to play and I want to grab it with both hands. Hopefully it will be permanent and I want to stay and keep my place at the Dragons because I am loving it here.
"I am still contracted to the sevens and we will have to play it by ear; the Dragons have had conversations with the Union and it is all pretty fluid."
Jenkins was Wales' leading try scorer last season and if he remains in the system he could feature at the Olympics in Tokyo next year.
And the wing hopes a combination of the two can be found as he concentrates on 15-a-side rugby.
"The main thing is that I have this opportunity in 15s and I want to take it – I have spoken to Dean and he has said I can do both,” he added.
"We will have to wait and see and I might not even get named in the wider squad for the Olympics but I have been part of the sevens set-up for a few years.
"Hopefully they have seen enough of me in the World Series so that if I don't play sevens this season then they still know what I can do."
I have played sevens for four seasons and thought that if I was to have another crack at 15s then now is the time to do it...
