Josh Adams is getting a close-up view of Cardiff Blues’ attacking weapons for next season as he battles it out for a place at the Rugby World Cup in the Swiss Alps.
The future Blues winger is part of the 42-man group in the midst of a gruelling training camp at altitude in the tiny village of Fiesch.
Jarrod Evans, Owen Lane, Hallam Amos and Tomos Williams are the other backs from Wales' Capital Region vying for a spot on the plane to Japan this Autumn. And Adams is relishing the opportunity to team up to form a lethal attacking lineup after witnessing their talents in training.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back, it was a really long process so I was happy to get it all finalised,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to linking up with an exciting backline at the Blues and getting involved with the way they play the game.
“The wingers they had last year in Owen Lane and Aled Summerhill were on fire scoring tries so I’m by no means expecting to walk into that team. I know I’ve got work to do but it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Adams sealed his move to the Arms Park after a breakthrough campaign in the red of Wales. His sensational season culminated with a Guinness Six Nations grand slam and a spot in the team of the tournament.
The 24-year-old will be hoping to replicate his try-scoring heroics that sealed a dramatic triumph over England when Wales travel to Japan for the Rugby World Cup. But first he has to get through the energy-sapping altitude trainingunder the watchful eye of Warren Gatland.
“This has been by far the hardest camp since I came into the Wales setup, especially with the altitude,” he said.
“The first couple of days is tough, it’s hard to sleep and I was getting headaches at night. Walking upstairs you feel our of breath, it’s silly things like that. The training has been tough, we’ve been here a week and headinginto our second now, it’s been savage.”
Juggling a move back to Wales and all the hard graft of a training camp halfway across Europe is a challenge in itself. Adams’ girlfriend Georgia is having to deal with the stress of moving as their new home gets built. But thenew Blues flyer is fully focused on delivering on the world stage before he links up with John Mulvihill’s men.
“My house is being moved right now as we speak, my girlfriend is dealing with all the delivery guys and stuff,” he added.
“The house is still being built so I’ll be in around October time I think. If I get selected for the world cup, Georgia will have to move everything into the house.
“If selected for Japan, hopefully she can make some time to come out and watch but it’s so difficult with selection and stuff because you can’t book a flight. She’s trying to manage it and fit everything around her busy schedule.”
By James Candy