‘Fastest man in rugby’ leads U.S. into Sam Boyd Stadium

Shortly after making the transition from track to rugby in 2012, Carlin Isles earned the title of the “fastest man in rugby” and quickly became a YouTube sensation.

A video showcasing the American’s speed on the rugby pitch — “Carlin Isles. Olympic Dream” — went viral, attracting more than 5.7 million views.

That world-class speed — 10.13 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 4.22 seconds in the 40-yard dash — will be on display this weekend at the USA Sevens rugby tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Isles will help lead the U.S. Eagles today in two matches — against Japan at 4:22 p.m. and Portugal at 7:18 p.m. — before they wrap up pool play at 12:40 p.m. Saturday against Sevens World Series leader South Africa.

“Carlin is certainly the fastest rugby player I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching, and I’ve had some fast (players) as coach of England and Kenya,” U.S. coach Mike Friday said. “His acceleration and ability to move at top speed is phenomenal. If he’s going flat out, he’s impossible to catch.”

A 25-year-old from Massillon, Ohio, Isles ran track and played football for Division II’s Ashland University before setting his sights on the 2012 London Olympics in the 100.

While preparing to make a run at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the summer of 2012, Isles — whose 10.13-second time would have qualified for the semifinals of the London Games — was studying sprinting techniques online when he stumbled across a rugby sevens video.

“I started watching it and wondered if I can go to the Olympics in this,” Isles said. “It’s so hard to make the Olympic Trials in track. I tried to switch to rugby, and I felt like I was made for this.”

Rugby will return to the Olympics for the first time since 1924 at the 2016 Rio Games, where rugby sevens will make its Olympic debut.

While the top four finishers in the Sevens World Series will automatically qualify for the Olympics, it appears the best chance for the U.S. — which is in eighth place midway through the series — will be to win a regional qualifier after the season, most likely against Canada.

“I know we’ll be there, without a doubt,” Isles said of the Olympics. “We’ve got speed, power and quickness all across the board. We’re excited about it.”

Isles turned down a chance to play in the NFL to continue his pursuit of representing his country in the Olympics.

He was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad in December 2013 after they clocked him at 4.22 seconds in the 40. But when training camp rolled around last summer, Isles decided to stay in Scotland, where he was playing pro rugby with the Glasgow Warriors.

“I was debating whether to go back to football or not, but I just stuck with rugby. I wanted to go to the Olympics, and I really enjoyed playing,” Isles said. “My dream was always either to run in the Olympics or play in the NFL. I always felt I could play in the NFL. It was a tough decision.”

Isles isn’t the only former college football player on the Eagles. Former team captain Zack Test was a freshman walk-on wide receiver at the University of Oregon, and newcomer Perry Baker played for Fairmont State, a Division II school in West Virginia, before spending two seasons with the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League.

Baker, who has become fast friends with Isles, said his best time in the 40 is 4.32 seconds, but he happily concedes the “fastest man in rugby” crown to his teammate.

“Oh, definitely. I don’t have any problem saying that. You don’t know how fast Carlin really is until you’re trying to keep up with him and running side by side with him,” Baker said. “I always said I was fast, but Carlin is on a whole other level. He has that God-given gift.”

Baker, a 28-year-old from Daytona Beach, Fla., began dabbling in rugby the year after high school and has had a solid rookie season for the Eagles.

“He’ll tell you Carlin is a little bit faster, but Perry can absolutely fly as well,” U.S. captain Madison Hughes said. “Most teams have someone they consider a speedster. But I don’t think anybody has two guys like Carlin and Perry.”

NOTES — Matches at the largest rugby tournament in North America, with 16 countries competing, start at 4 p.m. today, 11 a.m. Saturday and 10:20 a.m. Sunday. … The event will be televised by NBC (3) at 11 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday and by NBC Sports Network (38) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. … The tournament, in its sixth year in Las Vegas, drew a record crowd last year of 68,808.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33.