Wales to face All Blacks and Springboks without Josh Adams after ban

Wales wing Josh Adams has been banned for three matches following his 20-minute red card against Japan on Saturday.

The 64-cap Wales international was yellow carded by referee Matthew Carley moments before half time at the Principality Stadium for a dangerous clear out of Japan’s Kippei Ishida. The decision was referred to the bunker, where the card was upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

Following a hearing this week, an independent disciplinary committee decided to withhold the red card, with an entry point of a six-match ban. However, as Adams accepted he had committed an act of foul play, his ban was halved to three matches.

Furthermore, the Cardiff wing can have his ban reduced by another week should he take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.

Adams will therefore only miss the contest with the All Blacks this weekend, and the clash with world champions South Africa the following week.

A statement reads: “Wales number 11, Josh Adams, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee this afternoon via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.11 in the match between Wales and Japan on Saturday 15 November 2025.

“The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Jeremy Summers (England), joined by Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) and Val Toma (Romania)

“The Disciplinary Committee has upheld the red card issued to the player and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, have determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate. In light of the player accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as other mitigating factors, they have applied the maximum 50% reduction in sanction, thus reducing the final sanction to three weeks/matches.”