Wales wing Josh Adams eyes repeat of 2019 World Cup heroics as Warren Gatland’s unfancied side step up preparation for France

Josh Adams had a World Cup to recollect in 2019, ending because the event’s high try-scorer in Japan as Wales shocked their rivals to succeed in the semi-finals.

Adams crossed the road seven occasions within the Far East and now 4 years later, he’s eyeing up a repeat efficiency with Warren Gatland’s aspect.

‘That will be good, wouldn’t it?’ stated Adams, a glint in his eye. ‘It will be good to go one higher with eight!’

Within the build-up to 2019, Wales had been briefly the world’s No 1 team as well as Six Nations grand slam champions in what was imagined to be their final 12 months beneath head coach Gatland’s steerage.

Now, Gatland is again in cost after returning to exchange Wayne Pivac. Not like in 2019, when Wales had been often troubling and beating the world’s greatest, little is predicted of them on the event in France.

Wales stars (left to proper) Taulupe Faletau, Rio Dyer, Josh Adams, Tomos Williams and Gareth Davies tackle the children in attendance at Wales Rugby World Cup 2023 equipment launch at Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd

Wales wing Josh Adams completed because the main strive scorer (7) on the 2019 World Cup in Japan

Not that being written off is bothering Adams. ‘It wouldn’t have been as pleasant if we hadn’t had performed as properly,’ stated the Cardiff wing, wanting again on the final World Cup at Wales’ equipment launch for 2023.

‘It’s just like this group now with the sensation of how tight we’re. If we will replicate that type of feeling we had going into Japan, then I don’t see why we will’t replicate what we did then.

‘It actually could be a motivating issue to show a degree. Within the Six Nations we completed fifth. It was disappointing to solely win one recreation. We all know we’re miles higher than that.

‘We’ve proved we will compete with the very best. There has by no means been any doubt or a query throughout the squad we will do this.’

Requested if he anticipated Wales to qualify from their pool for the quarter-finals in France, Adams responded in unequivocal vogue.

‘It’s the identical pool as 2019 aside from Portugal changing Uruguay so completely we imagine we will get out of the pool,’ stated the 28-year-old wing.

Members of the squad had been relaxed as their start to gear up preparations for the event

Wales face England residence and away and likewise host South Africa of their warm-up matches in August earlier than heading to the World Cup

Defeats by Italy and Georgia value Pivac his job as Wales coach however Gatland’s first marketing campaign again within the hotseat was a tumultuous one.

The 2023 Six Nations noticed only a solitary win over Italy. Off the sphere, Wales’ gamers threatened to strike for the match with England as contractual and monetary uncertainty hit.

All that has now been put to mattress, even when Gatland has seen skilled gamers Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Ken Owens and Rhys Webb withdraw from the World Cup.

Of their absence, Wales’ squad now has a youthful, exuberant really feel. It was attention-grabbing to notice younger weapons and new captaincy candidates Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake – in addition to Christ Tshiunza – had been entrance and centre of their official World Cup equipment launch footage.

Wales journey to Turkey subsequent week for the second of their World Cup coaching camps. They’ve simply accomplished a gruelling two weeks at altitude in Switzerland.

Gatland’s aspect will face England residence and away and likewise host South Africa of their warm-up matches in August earlier than heading to the World Cup.

Warren Gatland is again in cost after returning to exchange Wayne Pivac, however not like in 2019, little is predicted of his staff in France

Wales will contest a pool that features Fiji, Eddie Jones’ Australia, Portugal and Georgia

Fiji, Eddie Jones’ Australia, Portugal and Georgia are their pool opposition.

Wales’ World Cup equipment is impressed by their nationwide anthem with ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ on the collar and the again of the shirt.

It was unveiled at a launch occasion in Pontypridd. ‘I feel with the group we’ve received we will actually succeed,’ stated Adams.

‘I really feel in the very best form I’ve been in for a very long time. I used to be struggling on the finish of final season with a couple of knocks. It was nothing main, only a few issues which slowed progress down.

‘I’ve had a transparent run, educated properly, and really feel match and wholesome. I’m beginning to really feel again to myself which is sweet.’

That’s excellent news for Wales, one thing which has been briefly provide.

Wales additionally confirmed off the away strip they’re set to put on for the event in France