FORMER Cross Ash Primary School pupil Hallam Amos has been picked by Warren Gatland as one of Wales’ World Cup 31.

The Newport Gwent Dragons ace battled it out with the likes of Eli Walker for an outside back position and tweeted his delight at being selected earlier this week, “Huge honour to be selected in the World Cup squad and to have represented my country over the last month, can’t wait for the next few weeks.”

Former Welsh international Lee Byrne has backed the 20-year-old from Cross Ash to be one of the stars of the World Cup, and the 46-times capped full-back, explained, “Hallam is strong, fast and an out-and-out finisher.

"I saw a bit of him when I was out in France with Clermont and then close up with the Dragons and know that even though he is a talented youngster, he’s mature and works hard on improving his game."

Amos, who is studying medicine at Cardiff University was already playing for the Gwent Dragons against such big name players as Brian O’ Driscoll whilst still head boy at Monmouth School. In fact he was the youngest player in the Northern Hemisphere to score a try in a professional rugby match when he touched down for Gwent Dragons against London Wasps aged just 17 years and 28 days.

Amos made his full international debut for Wales against Tonga in November 2013, and it was almost a fairytale start for the youngster who was narrowly denied a try by his right foot being in touch.

Two years later he earned his second cap when Wales locked horns with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium and after delivering another eye-catching performance against the boys in green in the Irish capital on the weekend, Amos has been rubber stamped for Gatland’s World Cup 31, where in the absence of James Hook, the speedy youngster could well become Wales’ ‘Mr Versastile’.