Argentina vs Wales: Josh Adams reconsidering his Worcester Warriors future after Premiership Rugby row
The Wales wing was one of three players prevented from joining up with Warren Gatland’s squad for last weekend’s Test against South Africa in the United States
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Your support makes all the difference.Josh Adams admits his enforced withdrawal from the Wales squad has made him think hard about leaving Worcester as he prepares to end a topsy-turvy fortnight with his third Test start.
The Warriors wing was initially dropped from Warren Gatland’s touring party after Premiership Rugby Limited made Wales’ English-based players unavailable for the game with South Africa.
The Washington encounter fell outside World Rugby’s designated Test window which meant PRL were within their rights to refuse to release Adams, as well as Tomas Francis and Luke Charteris.
The news of Adams’ absence was released while the player was at last month’s Aviva Premiership awards do, where he was jointly awarded the league’s top try-scorer award.
It was a night of roller-coaster emotions, the 23-year-old admitting he had plenty to drink as he contemplated what was at the time the end of his tour dream.
“It was a great evening for me but then I saw the news had come out about me not being able to go on tour. It made it bitter sweet and I was gutted,” said Adams.
“I was just scrolling through Twitter and that’s when I saw the news had been confirmed. I’d had a few to drink by then so it was one of those where I thought ‘I’ll think about it tomorrow’.
“I just carried on with the night and it made a bit of a sore head even worse.”
After missing Wales’ 22-20 win over the Springboks in the American capital, Adams was immediately called up for the two Tests with Argentina following injury to Steffan Evans.
His Worcester contract expires at the end of next season and at that point, he will have to return to Wales if he wants to continue playing international rugby.
“It’s been up and down and then with the politics of things going on above me, I was withdrawn from the tour initially. I was gutted and it hit me for six,” Adams said.
“To be told I wasn’t able to go to America was a massive kick in the teeth for me. All that stuff is all above me. Unfortunately I’ve just got to listen to it, but now I’m buzzing to get back out there and I’ve been given the opportunity to start on Saturday. I can’t wait.”
All four of Wales’ regions are keen on Adams and the former Scarlet added: “I’m under contract for another year and I really enjoy Worcester. They’ve given me an opportunity.
“But what’s happened in the last few weeks does definitely make you think and all those things are going to come into consideration come the end of next year. It was a disappointing time.”
Adams scored 13 tries in the Premiership last season and starts against Argentina, partnering George North on the wing. He is one of eight changes made by Wales head coach Gatland for Saturday's game in San Juan which is the first of a two-match series.
Adams made his international bow in the Six Nations, starting the games with Scotland and England. An innate finisher, he is hoping to take inspiration from former Red Rose wing Chris Ashton.
Toulon ace Ashton scored 26 tries for the French giants last season and added a hat-trick for the Barbarians against the country of his birth at Twickenham last month.
Adams said: “I guess finishing is just a natural ability. It’s like a taste and I think Chris is a great example of going looking for tries.
“Some of his tries are awesome finishes, but a lot of them are him just being in the right place. It’s a tough skill in itself. He’s scored so many tries this year and it’s something I could learn from.”
Wales were forced into a late change on the eve of the game with loosehead prop Wyn Jones pulling out of the encounter due to a calf injury suffered in training.
He has been forced to fly home due to the problem, with Rob Evans taking over his starting spot for the first Test with the Pumas. Nicky Smith replaces Evans on the bench.
Teams
Wales: Amos; Adams, Williams, Parkes, North; Patchell, G Davies; Evans, Dee, Lewis, Beard, Hill (capt), S Davies, J Davies, Moriarty
Replacements: Elias, Smith, Francis, Turnbull, Wainwright, A Davies, Anscombe, Watkin
Argentina: Boffelli; Delguy, Orlando, De la Fuente, Moyano; Sanchez, Bertranou; Botta, Creevey (capt), Chaparro, Petti, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Desio
Replacements: Montoya, Diaz, Medrano, Alemanno, Lezana, Landajo, Gonzalez Iglesias, Cancelliere
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
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