Sevens star's dilemma shows growth of latest Olympic sport

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Posted: Thursday 27th May 2010 | 12:15

IT IS a mark of the impact rugby sevens' inclusion in the 2016 Olympics has had, that Christian Wade - one of London Wasps' hottest prospects - is considering turning his back on the XV game.

TOUGH DECISION: Christian Wade, pictured in action against Italy, believes he must decide between his Olympic dream or his Wasps career

The 19-year-old is currently straddling two horses as a member of England's squad for the Emirates Airline London Sevens before he jets off to Argentina for the IRB Junior World Championship.

With the sevens world tour rapidly developing, it is not a compromise he can continue to make and when Wade returns from South America he will make a decision that will define his rugby career.

On the one hand is the lure of the Rio 2016 Olympics as the shortened version of the game keeps growing, on the other is learning the ropes with Wasps head coach Shaun Edwards and emulating his hero Jason Robinson.

"It is incredibly hard choice to make because I am so young so whatever I decide I am going to have see through to the end," said Wade who has also had a spell at London Scottish this season.

"If my choice does not work out then I will always be left with the thought ‘what if I had chosen the other option?'.

"I have not sat down to think about it yet and I am trying to concentrate on the present and not the future.

"Being at the Olympics is a massive thing for everybody. An opportunity like that does not come round very often.

"I was into athletics when I was younger so the Olympics has always been one of my goals. For me to have that opportunity again in a different sport is great.

"The sport is effectively going full-time but then I love playing XVs as well and I know what great opportunities I have in that game.

"At the moment I am enjoying the challenge of trying to balance it. I have been going between the two camps but they are different types of games so it can be difficult to change your mindset."