MATT Cross, younger brother of Olympic silver medallist Sam, has been selected in the Wales Sevens squad for this weekend's Rugby Europe Grand Prix Series, writes Chris Kirwan.

Brynmawr's Cross is following in the footsteps of Ospreys flanker Sam, who won silver with Great Britain at Rio 2016 and became a full cap last season, in representing his country in the seven-man game.

He is joined in the squad for Lodz in Poland by Caerleon's Loui O'Brien, who is younger brother of former Dragons fly-half Angus, now with the Scarlets and a sevens international, and Newport playmaker Matt.

The event that was pushed back in the calendar because of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, a delay that means a number of regulars from the development squad miss out because of Principality Premiership commitments.

That allows coach Richie Pugh to cast his eye over some fresh talent, including Gareth Hopkins, a multiple Welsh athletics champion. The boss is excited to see what the 100m and 200m sprinter can do with ball in hand.

"Gareth's fresh to high-level rugby, but with that background it'll good to see what he can do on the field," said Pugh.

"He wants to give rugby a real go after a successful athletics career, and he's been applying himself well in training."

Wales go up against Germany, Russia and hosts Poland on Saturday with Pugh expecting a stern test.

"Russia in particular have a lot at stake in terms of World Series qualification, so with points being up for grabs they're going in fully loaded," said Pugh.

"It will be a good challenge for our boys to step up against them. We'll make no bones about it, this will be a tough weekend.

"We've got a lot of inexperience but it bodes well in terms of what these players can gain from it."

Wales finish their pool against Russia, 16th in the World Series last season.

Wales Sevens: Iwan Evans (Neath), Matthew Cross (Brynmawr), George Maxfield (Penallta), Gethin Davies (Carmarthen Quins), Loui O'Brien (Caerleon), Jacob Flynn (captain, Aberavon), Ioan Lewis, Tony Lamerton (Cardiff Met), Jay Jones, Jack Forrest (Worthing/Welsh Exiles), Gareth Hopkins, Max Cunnington.

Saturday Pool fixtures: Wales v Germany (10.28am), v Poland (1.35pm), v Russia (3:58pm).