JAMES Davies says missing out on the chance to make his Wales Test debut against the All Blacks was worth it for the chance to go for gold in Rio.

The Scarlets openside was named in the extended Team GB squad for the Olympic Games in May, a call-up that meant he wasn't considered by Warren Gatland for the summer tour to New Zealand.

With regulars Dan Lydiate and Justin Tipuric sidelined by injury, the 25-year-old was an onlooker as Cardiff Blues scavenger Ellis Jenkins made his bow on the international scene, winning caps off the bench in all three Tests against the world champions.

The disappointment at missing the chance to follow his brother, Lions centre Jonathan, onto the honours board at Principality Stadium swiftly dissipated when his name was one of 12 read out by Team GB boss Simon Amor last week.

"I was disappointed to miss out on the New Zealand tour because I have always wanted to represent my country," said Davies. "But when I look at it now I had the chance to become an Olympian.

"So I wasn't down about it for a long time. I had the chance to become an Olympian and nobody in the current Welsh team has done that, so it's pretty special."

Davies was one of the Scarlets star performers in the Guinness Pro12 last season and his exploits convinced the sevens management to bring him back to the shortened format.

The all-action openside, who first represented Wales at 7s in 2012 and played at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, is thrilled to have an achievement to rival his older brother.

The flanker said: "He has the Lions claim, I am going to be an Olympian, it's nice to get one up on him for a change!

"He is very proud and he was ecstatic for me. He knows I have had disappointments in my career so to have an achievement like this is special and he knows how much this means to me.

"There are a few international rugby players from my part of the world but not many Olympic medallists!

"Hopefully the Scarlets as a club will be proud they have an Olympian in the squad and the region will be proud as well.

"I'm one of the first Welsh sevens players to be Olympians. Just hearing that now sends a shiver down my spine."

The men's tournament takes place between August 9 and 11 with GB drawn with World Cup holders New Zealand, a dangerous Kenya side and Japan. The top two go through to the quarter-finals automatically along with two of the three third-placed sides.

While the Brits haven't been together as long as many of their rivals, Davies believes they have the talent to come back with medals around their necks.

"The World Series circuit this season has shown how many teams can win tournaments," he said. "The way the Team GB boys have come together has been remarkable.

"For the boys to gel as well as they have has been good on and off the pitch. Now we have the 12 we can kick on and we are looking to at least medal.

"Although we know how difficult it we will be, we will do everything we can to be on that podium."

Men's Squad: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Bibby (England Sevens), Phil Burgess (England Sevens), Sam Cross (Wales Sevens), Alex Davis (England Sevens), James Davies (Scarlets), Ollie Lindsay Hague (Harlequins), Tom Mitchell (England Sevens, captain), Dan Norton (England Sevens), James Rodwell (England Sevens), Mark Robertson (Scotland Sevens), Marcus Watson (Newcastle Falcons).

Travelling reserves: Luke Treharne (Wales Sevens), Ruaridh McConnochie (England Sevens)