'I had to listen to the politics above me' - Josh Adams on Wales or Worcester and his undecided future
Last season might have been his breakthrough campaign, but Josh Adams shows no signs of complacency as he gears up for a potentially career-defining year for both club and country.
Buoyed by his first international try, scored as Wales secured a 2-0 Test series win against Argentina in Santa Fe, and re-energised by a five-week break that included a well-earned trip to Mexico, the Worcester Warriors wing returned to pre-season four weeks ago determined to prove last season was no one-off.
Should Adams, the 2017-18 Gallagher Premiership’s joint top try-scorer, enjoy an equally prolific campaign this time around then a place in Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup would be well within reach. But securing a place on the flight to Japan is not the 23-year-old’s sole focus.
Adams has entered the final year of his contract at Sixways, and with his fledgeling international career just six months and four caps old he must return to Wales from next season if he is to remain eligible for Test selection.
Despite reported interest from the Dragons, the former Scarlets academy player insists there have been “absolutely no discussions” with any of the four Welsh regions yet.
“Obviously, everyone is aware of the rule,” he tells RugbyPass. “It is what it is, I’m just fully concentrating on starting the season as best as I can for Worcester.
“I’m going to have to cross that bridge when it comes to it and it’s going to be a difficult decision.”
To many outsiders, it might seem like a pretty simple choice. Test rugby is the pinnacle of the sport and it would seem like an act of near-heresy to turn your back on the chance to represent your country, were the opportunity available.
Yet, that does not take into account the bond between Adams and Worcester. It was the Warriors who offered him the chance to pursue a career in professional rugby when the Scarlets did not, and he has put himself in this position by performing on the platform they provided.
Moreover, Adams has progressed into the first team alongside fellow academy graduates Jack Singleton, Jamie Shillcock and Perry Humphreys. The lure of playing in the same Wales back-three as school-friend Steff Evans is a strong one, but beyond this season it will come at the expense of running out every weekend with some of his closest mates.
“Worcester took a chance, saw something in me and obviously brought me over the bridge and I’m super, super thankful for that because without Worcester just seeing that little something or giving me that opportunity who knows what I’d be doing right now? I couldn’t tell you,” Adams explains.
“So, it is difficult. I’ve made some terrific friends here and I can easily say they’ll be close friends for life now.
“It’s been pretty cool because when I joined the academy there was a group of us who came through together. Singo (Singleton) now has broken into the England set-up and he’s doing terrifically well and we’re playing regular, Shilly (Shillcock) is playing regularly in the Premiership, Pezzer (Humphreys) is doing the same and then you start to see people like Kitch (Andrew Kitchener) breaking through now, Ted Hill again will come through.
“It’s like that first group of lads that I got to know and sort of live with, when I first moved here, we’ve all come through together and we’re all still playing together.
“So, I think that would be a difficult thing, not to be able to run out with them because we have got quite a close bond.”
Adams’ teammates in Worcester understand how tough the next few months will be for the wing. “Whatever Josh decides it has no impact on how we regard him as a man, as a player, it’s not a personal thing,” Warriors stalwart Chris Pennell told RugbyPass.
“So, I don’t envy the decision he has to make but what a great position to be in.”
It is possibly not a scenario Adams would have envisaged being in when Sam Vesty convinced the Warriors hierarchy to hand him an academy place as the Scarlets were preparing to let him go three years ago.
A spate of injuries at the start of 2018 opened up a space in the Wales back-three, and his form at Worcester – he has scored 30 tries in 48 first-team appearances for the Warriors – elevated him into Gatland’s starting XV for the opening two matches of the Six Nations.
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Adams lined up against Scotland and England on the opposite wing to his friend and former centre partner at Ysgol Gyfun y Strade in Llanelli, Steff Evans.
“I would never have said we’d both start for Wales together on the wings,” Adams says. “Growing up, playing school rugby together I was a centre, maybe on the wing and Steff was a centre or full-back.
“He obviously transitioned very well in the Scarlets and he made his breakthrough on the wing, and he’s done terrifically well since. So, to obviously start together, schoolmates if you like, on the wings was actually pretty cool and a special day for us.”
It was an injury to Evans that handed Adams his chance in Argentina, after the Worcester man had been withdrawn from the original squad once Premiership Rugby Limited refused to release English-based players for the opening game of the tour against South Africa in Washington DC.
Adams found out about his axing as he scrolled through social media at the Premiership Rugby Awards, where he picked up a gong for finishing atop the league’s try-scoring charts. He understood the reasons behind the decision.
“I had to listen to the politics above me and there was nothing I could do, but I was very grateful to get the opportunity to go then to Argentina,” he says. “I sort of slotted in seamlessly if you like, it wasn’t long after the Six Nations so the plays and stuff were quite fresh in my memory, it was just a matter of going over them again and I absolutely loved the two weeks I was out there.
“I was actually really grateful to be given the opportunity to start in both Tests, and happy to get a try in the last one as well.”
His experience in Argentina could prove to be an important one for both Adams and Wales. “It was one of those things that once you get into it and get that belief in yourself that you can actually play and compete at that level it’s sort of just like playing Prem again,” he says.
“But it did take me one or two games for me to feel that, and those were the two games in the Six Nations. I did feel a more confident in myself and a lot more comfortable in the environment in Argentina.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Shows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to comments