CROSS Keys full back James Cordy-Redden says he owes a great debt of gratitude to the club after signing a full-time professional contract with England Sevens.

The 21-year-old gets the exciting opportunity to travel the globe with last year's World Cup Sevens finalists thanking the Pandy Park side for giving him a big break two years ago.

And who knows, if things go according to plan, we might see a former Keys player in Great Britain colours at the Olympics in Rio next year.

Cordy-Redden could actually play for Wales through his grandparents from Cowbridge, and is dual qualified thanks to his New Zealander father Paul, but the Surrey-born man was snapped up by England.

He has made 49 appearances for Keys, scoring 13 tries, since joining the club in 2013 after he caught the eyes of Keys head coach Greg Woods and director of rugby Jonathan Westwood.

They saw the real estate valuation and management student at the University of the West of England, Bristol, shine while playing for Welsh Universities.

"James really impressed Westy and I when we saw him playing for them," Woods said. "And he has taken his chance well, a quality player who fully committed himself to the club and scored some big tries for us.

"What a wonderful opportunity this is to travel the world for him. It'll be a bit different from playing in Carmarthen when he is turning out in Japan and Australia, but he's welcome to come back to Keys anytime!"

Nicknamed Volvo at Keys, the moniker by which he is universally known at the club because of his and the Swedish car manufacturer's reputation for remarkable reliability, it's probably fair to say that the privately-educated Cranleigh School former pupil isn't your archetypal Keys player but one who took to life with the Gwent Valleys club like a duck to water.

"It was a bit of a shock getting the call from England but this is a great opportunity," Cordy-Redden said. "I've got so much to thank Wales for in kick-starting things.

"Playing for Cross Keys has helped make my rugby career and develop me. If it had not have been for them giving me the chance, and throwing me in at the deep end really, I wouldn't be in this position."

He could also soon by pitting his wits for England against two old teammates from Keys in Angus O'Brien and Jevon Groves who represent Wales on the international sevens circuit.

"That's something to really look forward to," he said. "I could be quite literally bumping into them in the coming months!"

But for now, there's still business to be done with Keys as they look to close in on the Premiership play-offs with Bridgend to come tonight at the Brewery Field before entertaining them at Pandy Park on Saturday.

Cordy-Redden, who is set to reach a half century of appearances for the club this week, said: "I am determined to go out on a high with Keys by qualifying for the play-offs and then helping us win the title. There's no reason why we can't do it."