By Graham Thomas
At a time when Welsh rugby could do with white knights who can ride to the rescue, it’s good to see the return of Josh Adams, even if it’s in blue.
Adams will make his first appearance for six months when his club, Cardiff, host the Dragons on Saturday in a URC Welsh derby at the Arms Park that must attempt to lift some of the fog of gloom that hangs over Welsh rugby.
The wing was last seen on a rugby field back in May before he needed a hernia operation that was quickly followed by knee issues.
“I thought I was going to be back sooner, but nothing is ever as smooth as you want it to be,” he says.
“When you have setbacks, you can’t really see the end. But I am there now, so I am delighted.
“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.”
Y Tîm | The Team @dragonsrfc
©️ Ben Thomas
4⃣ Changes to starting XV
Josh Adams️ https://t.co/Wrvh50DhMw#AlwaysCardiff ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/ZM8XuBbWs5
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) November 29, 2024
Still only 29, Adams offers both huge experience and world class finishing power if he can recapture the form that made him a Lions tourist in 2001.
That was when he was widely regarded as one of the best wings in world rugby and although injuries have disrupted his career since, he is still young enough to provide quality to a Wales team badly lacking in that department.
“You take things for granted a bit when you are younger, you do naturally,” he says.
“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.”
Wing Josh Adams is set for his first appearance of the season as Cardiff make 4⃣ changes for their return to the @URCOfficial against @dragonsrfc.
Read more ⤵️#AlwaysCardiffhttps://t.co/qJF3sbx0H3
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) November 29, 2024
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.
Cardiff are currently eighth in the BKT URC table, with the Dragons back in 15th spot – a gap that is reflected in bookmakers DragonBet’s match odds.
They make Cardiff 1/5 for the win, with the Dragons 4/1 outsiders. In the handicap market, the Dragons are given a 12.5 points start.
Before then, the Scarlets kick-off the return to regional action away at Glasgow Warriors on Friday evening.
Blair Murray’s hectic start to the season continues as he goes straight back into the Scarlets team for the clash with the champions at Scotstoun.
He featured in the first six league games following his arrival from New Zealand and then started all three autumn Tests for Wales, appearing on the wing against Fiji and Australia, before switching to full back for last weekend’s meeting with South Africa.
Second-placed Glasgow are boosted by the return of seven Scotland autumn squad members, with George Horne starting at scrum-half just five days on from figuring in the victory over Australia.
The Ospreys are away at Zebre Parma on Saturday evening, where Keelan Giles will be a proud man as he makes his 100th appearance for the Os.
But the Ospreys are without Adam Beard, who faces a lengthy lay-off after injuring his knee on Wales duty against Australia.
