'I am feeling good': Josh Adams set for long-awaited return

After six months on the sidelines, Wales wing Josh Adams can’t wait to step out at a “pumping” Arms Park for the derby day clash with the Dragons.

He hasn’t played since May due to a hernia operation and a “nightmare” with his knee, which kept on filling up with blood.

But now he’s fully recovered and ready to return to action for Cardiff in front of a bumper crowd.

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“I thought I was going to be back sooner, but nothing is ever as smooth as you want it to be,” he said.

“When you have setbacks, you can’t really see the end. But I am there now, so I am delighted.

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“I am feeling good. It’s been a long time, so I am itching to get back out there. I’m really glad I am back on the pitch and fully fit. I’m fresh and raring to go for the first time in a long while.”

Now 29, Adams cherishes being able to take to the field all the more these days, with the passing years.

“You take things for granted a bit when you are younger, you do naturally,” he said.

“You think you have got bags of time. Then, as you get on a bit, you sort of appreciate every time you get to play because your body picks up more niggles and bangs and you spend a little bit more time in the physio room than you want.

“I probably realise how quickly the first part of my career has gone when you look back at it now.”

The 59-cap Adams, who trained with Wales during the autumn as part of his rehab, couldn’t have picked a much bigger domestic game for his return and is excited by the prospect of performing in front of another full house at the Arms Park.

“The turnouts we get here are brilliant,” he said.

“For them to show up every week certainly makes a difference to us. Running out here on Saturday, hopefully this place is packed to the rafters and pumping.

“It honestly does give you an extra five or ten per cent of energy when you need it, especially when you are down close to the opposition line. You can hear everyone on the edge of their seat and the noise starting to rise. It does feed to us as players on the field.

“Those are the moments you really miss when you are not playing – being able to really take in the crowd, that and the feeling of elation in the changing room after winning a tight game.”

Ben Thomas, who started all three autumn Tests for Wales, skippers the Cardiff side from the centre, while Keiron Assiratti packs down at tight-head prop having also figured against Fiji, Australia and South Africa, with fellow international Cam Winnett at full-back.

The Dragons have former Ospreys great Filo Tiatia at the helm for the first time following the departure of head coach Dai Flanagan.

They welcome back wing Rio Dyer, No 8 Aaron Wainwright and scrum-half Rhodri Williams from Wales duty, with Angus O’Brien captaining the side from full-back.