Josh Adams Poised for Return After Six-Month Absence

Josh Adams, who has been sidelined since May 2024, is expected to make his comeback. The upcoming United Rugby Championship match will feature Cardiff against Dragons at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, November 30, with a kick-off time of 17:15 GMT. Coverage will include live commentary on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds, live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app, and highlights available online later. Wales wing Josh Adams is aiming to conclude his six-month period of inactivity when Cardiff hosts Dragons in the United Rugby Championship this Saturday. He has not participated in any matches for either his club or national team since his appearance against Sharks in May. Adams was absent from Wales’ summer tour to Australia and the subsequent autumn series due to undergoing a hernia operation. The 29-year-old stated, “I finally feel good and I’m itching to get back out on there.” He added, “I thought I’d be back sooner, but I should know from previous injuries that things never go as smoothly as you want.” Adams also commented on his time off the field, saying, “Watching from the sidelines gets harder as time goes on. You miss those moments on the pitch and in the changing room after wins.” Reflecting on his career, Adams remarked, “As you get older you realise how quickly the first part of your career has gone and that you probably took things for granted. Now you appreciate things a lot more.” Furthermore, Adams has successfully addressed the knee problem that affected him during the 2024 Six Nations tournament. This development provides a timely boost for both Cardiff and Wales, especially considering the recent loss of Mason Grady due to a fractured ankle. Grady underwent surgery after sustaining the injury against Fiji and is anticipated to be unavailable for several months. Cardiff is currently exploring options for short-term cover, though the club has dismissed rumors connecting them to a potential move for Wales international Joe Hawkins from Exeter Chiefs. In other injury news, Wales internationals Alex Mann, Seb Davies, and Jacob Beetham have recovered during the autumn break. Additionally, Taulupe Faletau, who has been absent since April, has resumed training and is projected to return “in the next couple of weeks.” Head coach Matt Sherratt plans to evaluate the eight Cardiff players who participated in the Wales autumn campaign before announcing his squad for the match against Dragons. Sherratt commented, “It’s not the physical demands of being in the Wales camp, but also the mental fatigue. But it’s a derby match at home and they want to play.” Adams, familiar with the transition from international to regional rugby, spent two weeks training with the Wales squad as part of the concluding phase of his recovery. He remarked, “The boys still enjoy being part of the Wales camp, win or lose.” Adams further stated, “It’s been difficult recently, but no one can say they don’t care about playing for Wales. That’s the pinnacle for all of us.” Adams concluded, “They’ve gone hard in every game and some of them are pretty bashed up. Any campaign is strenuous so now it’s up to us to pick their energy.”