‘I know how they feel’: Josh Adams sympathises with frustrated Wales fans after Six Nations defeat

Wales slumped to a fifth successive loss this year in their Six Nations finale

Andrew Baldock
Monday 02 November 2020 07:01 EST
Comments
England win 2020 Six Nations

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Josh Adams says he can understand supporters' sense of frustration after Wales slumped to a fifth successive defeat this year.

Wales will head into the Autumn Nations Cup and a tough opener against Ireland on 13 November, having gone nine months without victory.

Wing Adams scored three tries the last time it happened - a 42-0 demolition of Italy on 1 February - but there has been precious little to cheer since then.

A 14-10 Six Nations loss to Scotland behind closed doors in Llanelli was Wales' first at home in the fixture since 2002, and it followed reversals against France (twice), Ireland and England. "I was a supporter once, and I know exactly how they feel," Adams said.

"It is difficult because we never want to lose, especially at home. I can only reiterate myself and say 'stick with us'.

"We put our bodies on the line because we are all proud Welshmen. I've no doubt we will continue to work hard, pull together, no matter the results.

"It's about how you react when your backs are against the wall. A few things, and results have gone against us.

"Now, we've got two weeks to get ready for Ireland, and we will make sure we put ourselves in the best possible place for the Aviva Stadium in a fortnight. It's the beginning of a new competition for everyone.

"Every player in a stage of their career will have a patch where they don't pick up a few wins. It's how we come together as a team, which we are working extremely hard in the week on to do that.

"The (Scotland) result isn't what we wanted, but that doesn't mean we will dwell on it. It's a line in the sand now."

Wales last lost five games on the bounce since 2016, and life is not about to get any easier, with Ireland and newly crowned Six Nations champions England among their next three opponents.

Adams added: "It is important we come together as best we can, and I have no doubt we will.

"Don't get me wrong, our performances need to improve and we need to get results, but our work in the week will reflect how that happens on a Saturday.

"We will work extremely hard in the next couple of weeks, I have no doubt about that."

Head coach Wayne Pivac has experienced a difficult start to his reign since succeeding Warren Gatland, with just two wins in seven games.

And Adams said: "We have created that pressure on ourselves from the results we've had recently.

"Everyone expects us to win, and that's great because we want to win every single game.

"That is going to be the key focus for us moving forward - to do everything in our control as best we can so we come out the right side of the result."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in