Six Nations star's knees keep filling with blood & he needs to have them drained

15 March 2024 , 18:27

933     0

Wales Josh Adams in action

Wales rugby star Josh Adams has been dealing with a recurring issue where his knees keep filling up with blood, requiring them to be drained.

Adams, who has played in high-pressure matches like Six Nations Grand Slam deciders and Rugby World Cup knockout clashes, insists that Saturday's wooden spoon decider against Italy is a must-win game for Wales.

The team has been focusing on introducing new players like Cameron Winnett, Alex Mann, Evan Lloyd and Mackenzie Martin into the international arena after the retirement of a host of seasoned players. Coach Warren Gatland believes this short-term struggle will make the team stronger in the long run.

However, with Wales losing their last five Test matches, they are now facing the possibility of their first wooden spoon since 2003. Despite some positive aspects in each defeat, the 58-times-capped wing Adams firmly believes that Wales need to break their losing streak this weekend against the Azzurri.

"Nobody wants to lose," said the Wales wing. "Sometimes you learn best from your losses, but there are only learnings if you show improvements the following week, otherwise there is no point.

Ex-Scotland coach wants "immature" national anthem axed on eve of Six Nations

"Having a winning feeling at home in the changing room in the Principality is something that Cam Winnett hasn’t experienced, Alex Mann hasn’t experienced, the list can go. For me when I came in I won my first Test at home against Scotland, I lost away against England at Twickenham and I didn’t lose for 13 Tests after that.

"I was in a team that didn’t know how to lose. That’s the sort of journey we are going to have to get to where it becomes second nature, where we understand how to close games out, how to squeeze opposition better and see tough Test matches out. No Test match is easy and that is something with learning young boys that winning feeling accelerates that."It is a bit of a different pressure.

"It is a bit of a different pressure. Pressure when you are in a game to win something, it feels a little bit different. There is something at the end of it, whereas this is a situation where we can't afford to lose. We have to have the mindset that international rugby is all about winning and we haven't been able to do that yet. We are desperate to win.

"Aspects of our game have been really good and we've seen a big step forward in areas of our game. But you have to be at your best to win in international rugby."

Josh Adams of Wales catches a ball during the Wales Captain's Run

Adams hasn't been at his try-scoring best during the course of this Championship having been left frustrated by injury in the build up. He added: "My form has been better as the tournament has gone along.

"I struggle with my knees from playing with Cardiff coming into the campaign, which wasn't ideal. I wanted some more match minutes under my belt coming into camp.

"My knees kept filling up with blood so I was having them drained fairly regularly. Up towards 50mil of blood every time, which was a bit of a hinderance. Thankfully, they have been a lot better as we've gone through the campaign."

Italy claimed a famous win over Scotland last weekend and have also tied with France in Lille. Adams remembers losing to Italy at home in 2022 and is wary of their threat. He also hopes the game can offer the retiring George North a fitting send off from international rugby.

"I haven't got good memories of two years ago," said the Cardiff wing. "It was Biggs (Dan Bigger) 100th and Al's (Alun Wyn Jones) 150th game and this will be George's last game, so there is another big occasion in this fixture two years later.

"I'd like to think we can send off George with a win, and not have a repeat of the result when Dan and Al reached their incredible milestones. It's an added occasion to the day.

England star Joe Marler reflects on lowest point after fight with pregnant wife

"It's important we do something for George. Their whole attacking system has developed. They've had some great continuity with their players. They have a lot of ball movement and their forwards are very good at linking with their backs but one of the biggest improvements I've seen is defensively.

"They look really hungry. There were long periods of time against France when they were on their line and just refused to let the French score. They were just battling and battling away and that shows the work ethic and trust they've got in their team. They have really improved their game overall."

And despite their awful run, Adams is adamant Wales aren't far away from where they need to be.

"It isn't an awful lot," said Adams when asked what Wales need to do differently to turn defeats into victories. "When we were looking back at the France game, after 63 minutes we were in a Test match."

"We were right in a Test match, back and fore, back and fore, and then there was just a dip and that was where France gained momentum. They were such a powerful team that they kept on top."

"There are loads of aspects around that area where we can control better, maybe our game management could have been a bit better, not thinking 'right, we have got to score straight away', maybe apply a bit more pressure early on in sets, this team is a little bit better."

Steffan Thomas