By Gareth James
Josh Adams insists there can be no holding back when Wales face England in a couple of weeks – even though any injuries could disrupt both teams’ World Cup plans.
After a challenging two-week training camp in Switzerland, Adams is looking forward to the next instalment in Turkey as the Wales senior men’s squad starts to turn its attentions to next month’s Vodafone Summer Series.
One game short of reaching a half-century of caps, the Cardiff wing could reach that landmark against England at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, 5 August, when Wales play the first of three warm-up games for the World Cup in France.
Having spent two weeks at altitude in Fiesch high up in the Swiss Alps, Adams believes he is fitter than he has been for some time.
Quiet start to the afternoon at Cornerstone with @BHevents2678 summer BBQ with Dan Lydiate, Dan Biggar and Josh Adams. pic.twitter.com/arfMXw5KNv
— Pete Grzonka (@fatpete1) July 21, 2023
With another week of tuning up to come in Turkey he will be ready to explode in front of the Welsh fans in Cardiff when England arrive.
“We will be approaching all three games in August as Test matches. That’s our mentality as a squad – they are all important games,” said Adams.
“Of course, there is the factor of perhaps getting injured before the World Cup, but if you don’t go hard in these games, you’re not giving yourself the best preparation.
“There are a lot of things we need to work on, try out and tweak leading into the World Cup.
“That’s why they’re important games for us. It was clear from the Six Nations that one of the biggest work-ons for the backline was to become more efficient in attack.
“We need to use the ball better and I feel that some of the stuff we’ve been doing in training will definitely allow us to do that.
“Obviously, the conditioning will help but going into Turkey now, where the focus will be more on the rugby, hopefully that will allow us to nail the detail. I think we’ll definitely be a better attacking team come the World Cup.”
Back-to-back games against England will give Adams, the leading try scorer at the 2019 World Cup with seven and the owner of 20 international tries for his country, the chance to show the Welsh fans what they can expect to see in France when Wales clash with Fiji, Portugal, Australia and Georgia in Pool C.
Josh Adams in excellent form as always at today’s kit launch.
Is very confident Wales will do well at the World Cup and insists the younger players in the squad have brought a real edge.https://t.co/imhVhvtgMa
— Steffan Thomas (@Steffan_Thomas1) July 20, 2023
And what has really excited the 28-year-old wing is the impact the new breed of players coming through the system have been making.
Nine of the 43 strong squad heading to Turkey to prepare for the Summer Series are uncapped and Adams says all the newcomers have made a considerable impact on the group.
“The boys who have come into the group have definitely added something. The bond we’ve built within the larger group has been really, really good,” added Adams.
“One thing I’d say about this group of 48 is that every one has been excellent. The bond we’ve created from the two weeks in Switzerland has definitely been beneficial.
“From speaking to the older boys in the pack, the forwards who have come in have done excellently. I see a lot more of the backs than I do the forwards, and I’ve been really impressed with Max Llewellyn.
“He’s really gone up a gear since coming in. You saw last season what a really good player he is, but I think he’s added something different to his game since coming in.
“Joe Roberts really impressed at the end of last season with the Scarlets, and he’s been showing some really nice touches. I think he’ll definitely go on to get some caps in the future.
“We’ve seen bits of Mason Grady in the Six Nations, and what an athlete he is. He’s added to the athletic stuff he’s got with the time we’ve spent in the gym and he’s looking really sharp.
“Tommy Rogers, Cai Evans –I’ve been really impressed with those boys. The biggest thing is their attitude – they’ve never moaned or questioned ‘why are we doing this?’
“They’ve put their heads down and grafted. They’ve pushed it and we’ve had to push to stay with them- they’ve been excellent.”
It all adds up to a battle for places in the Vodafone Summer Series and then a further fight for inclusion in the final 33 for the World Cup.
There is so much to play for over the next month and Welsh fans will get the chance to be a part of it all for the games against England and then the reigning world champions, South Africa, on Saturday, 19 August.
2 weeks old and having to use some lighting rigs to help it along. First session 2 weeks today, before Wales v England on Aug 5th.@02Clevo @TomBat28 @principalitysta pic.twitter.com/doku16bBCq
— Lee Evans (@LeeEvan10942607) July 20, 2023
2023 VODAFONE SUMMER SERIES FIXTURES
All matches are live on Prime Video with England and Welsh language coverage available.
Saturday 5 August: Wales v England
Principality Stadium, Cardiff – KO 17.30 BST
Saturday 12 August: England v Wales
Twickenham Stadium – KO 17.30 BST
Saturday 19 August: Wales v South Africa
Principality Stadium, Cardiff – KO 15.15 BST