Thretton Palamo’s time with London Welsh has officially ended. After initially being cleared for the Cape Town leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series, the Eagles midfielder has now been granted an early release from his contract with the England club to join Mike Friday’s Eagles 7s program for the remainder of the series. London Welsh Director of Rugby Steve Lewis was supportive of Palamo’s Olympic ambitions in a statement from the club:

“Rio 2016 will be the first time Sevens has featured at an Olympic Games, and London Welsh would not stand in the way of a player wishing to represent their country on such a stage. We were therefore happy to agree to the request from USA and while sad to lose Thretton, London Welsh wishes him every success with USA Sevens.”

Palamo joined the Greene King IPA Championship in the off-season on a season-long loan from Aviva Premiership club Saracens, a deal which also now appears to be over. All told he made three appearances for Saracens in last year’s Anglo-Welsh Cup, and five for London Welsh – three in the Championship and two in the British & Irish Cup. Palamo now looks to be a direct replacement for Andrew Durutalo, who has left the 7s program to sign with the Sunwolves, Japan’s new entry into Super Rugby.