The last time Josh Adams was in Japan he topped the 2019 Rugby World Cup try count – now as he prepares to return six years later he feels rejuvenated by a consistent run of fitness and a brutal training camp. 

Wales jet to the land of the rising sun later this month, targeting a first win since November 2023. 

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt is again in charge on an interim basis, and Adams is enjoying the refreshed coaching set-up despite a lung-busting conditioning programme in humidity of up to 87 per cent.

He said: “2019 was good. It was a different squad, different time but I have fond memories over there. It’s a great country, we went to a few different areas and they are lovely people and have a good rugby team as well. 

Brutal conditions

“We’ve done a fair bit of prep for the conditions. It’s quite uncomfortable and tough so we will prep the best we can. 

“We’ve been doing skills straight out of the heat chamber, so the heat’s right up in there.

“I think it was 37 degrees and 88% humidity the other day when we did a sort of off-field conditioning session and then came straight down and got into some skills (with a wet ball).

“So we’re trying to copy what the climate would be like out there as best we can and try and make it as comfortable as it can for us, so we’re in a good space to cope with anything.

“I came out of the chamber on Friday and some boys were like, that’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and then I was like, it’s got to be in the top three worst I’ve felt after a session.

“It was really bad, genuine, because it’s really stuffy. You’re on a bike, assault bike, rower, ski erg, and there’s certain times and calories you’ve got to do. 

“But you’re all crammed in there. It’s really uncomfortable, when you’re knackered and you want a bit of space just to breathe, you can’t because it’s so hot and stuffy and everyone’s rubbing against each other. You’re trying to not agitate each other because it’s so cramped.”

Cardiff Consistency

Adams went into the training camp on the back of five consecutive starts for the Blue & Blacks and he is benefitting from the consistency. 

And while there has been plenty of positivity around the progression at Cardiff it has been a different story in the red of Wales.

Now with the unwanted record losing streak, Adams is fuelled by the hurt and frustration of the past 18 months on the international stage.

We’re hurting but there is no lack of desire

He continued: “My knee was a while ago and then I tore my hamstring in the Six Nations and missed the last three games. 

“I got back for the last six games of the season with Cardiff. That meant I had a good run at the back end of the season, probably the longest consecutive run of matches I’ve had in at least a season and a half. I played 80 minutes in all bar one of them and I’m feeling good at the minute.

“But it hurts me when some boys say they’ve never won for Wales. It’s horrible when they say things like that because of the things I’ve experienced. I didn’t know how to lose at one stage for Wales. Even when we weren’t playing well we managed to win.

“It’s strange but the squad was a lot different. We probably just got lost a little bit and we’re trying to find our way back now.

The talent is there

“That’ll come, no doubt, because the talent is as good, certainly. I know I say it every day, these boys are as good as what we’ve had, it’s just confidence is a huge thing. I believe that these lads are good enough to produce and win.

“There is no difference between the desire and commitment of the team in 2019 to this squad. it is horrible to question that, although I know it can be questioned when you are looking in because of the results – and the magnitude of some of the results. 

“That hurts the playing group. Yes, they have lost, and lost badly on occasion, but it doesn’t affect the amount of effort that goes into it. That can never be questioned.

“The big thing is the belief and confidence in their own ability and of the team in getting things right. 

“There will be a tipping point, of course there will, and we all believe that. We hope it will be this summer. It’s something we have addressed as a team because there is no point in not talking about things. 

“The more open and vulnerable we can make each other as players in speaking about different aspects of the game and life, the easier it becomes to talk about difficult things. We are fairly open and that is a nice thing to have as a squad. 

“We’ve just got the mindset that we are going to go after it.”