Honest Amos has no regrets
CARDIFF full-back Hallam Amos says he has no regrets about announcing his plans to retire despite missing out on Wales’ autumn internationals.
The 27-year-old was left out of Wales’ 38-man squad for the Tests against New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia with head coach Wayne Pivac stating it was to do with his medical career.
With Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams sidelined, Amos was in the running to add to his 25 caps. But with no intention of going to the 2023 World Cup in France, he decided to be up front with Pivac and Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young.
“It is a little bit of a sacrifice in terms of this autumn,” Amos said. “There are no guarantees but I may have been involved, especially with the injuries across the back three, but I have had incredible experiences.
“Johnny (McNicholl) is playing well for the Scarlets and there are other boys that can fit in that position.
“While it would have been great to play these games, I have played the All Blacks in Cardiff and the other nations.
“It just sat better with me, the right thing to do was to tell people early so then they can plan for the future.”
On his decision to retire, Amos added: “It is hard work when you first start out as a junior doctor and I want to get those years done in my late 20s rather than my late 30s.
“Maybe I am making this decision six or seven years earlier than a lot of boys would, but I am comfortable with it now.”
Amos made his international debut against Tonga in 2013, aged 19. His 25th cap came in the defeat by Argentina in Cardiff in July 2021. He added: “During the game often things whizz by, but in the build-up [to Argentina], I tried to enjoy and remember as much as I could.”