Josh Adams THROWN OUT of Wales’ Six Nations squad for Covid breach

Josh Adams THROWN OUT of Wales’ Six Nations squad for Covid breach after attending a ‘small gathering’ to celebrate his partner’s pregnancy

  • Josh Adams has been banned for Wales’ first two matches of Six Nations
  • He attended a family gathering last Sunday after players were allowed home
  • The Welsh squad were given strict instructions to comply with Covid measures
  • Ireland game not under threat as squad returned negative results on Wednesday 

Josh Adams was sensationally thrown out of Wales’ Six Nations squad after a Covid breach.

The wing has been banned for the first two matches of the campaign against Ireland and Scotland having attended a family gathering last Sunday.

While the Welsh squad are in a ‘bubble’ for the Six Nations players were allowed to go home last Saturday afternoon, under strict instructions to comply with Covid measures.

Josh Adams was sensationally thrown out of Wales’ Six Nations squad after a Covid breach

Adams attended a small family gathering to celebrate his partner's pregnancy (pictured in 2020)

Adams attended a small family gathering to celebrate his partner’s pregnancy (pictured in 2020)

But Adams broke those rules, celebrating a ‘milestone’ – believed to be his partner’s recent pregnancy which she announced in December.

When the 25-year-old linked back up with the squad on Tuesday, at their Vale of Glamorgan base, the breach was immediately raised.

Adams himself said: ‘I would like to apologise unreservedly.

‘When out of camp, at the weekend, I made an error of judgement. I attended a small gathering of immediate family to celebrate a family milestone.

‘It was wrong to do this. I’m aware that everyone needs to follow the rules and being in the public eye I have a responsibility to lead by example and I’ve fallen short on this occasion.

He has been banned from Wales' opening two matches against Ireland and Scotland

He has been banned from Wales’ opening two matches against Ireland and Scotland

‘I’d like to apologise to my teammates and to our supporters for my mistake.’

Thankfully, Wales’ Six Nations opener on Sunday against Ireland is not under threat, and on Wednesday the entire squad returned negative Covid test results.

All of Wales’ 36-man squad and backroom staff had to sign up to a Covid code of conduct before the tournament and have only been in camp for 10 days.

‘We are extremely disappointed with the breach and have acted robustly and swiftly to take all appropriate measures,’ said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.

‘All players and management have received detailed briefings and education regarding our protocols, and everyone has a responsibility to abide by the rules.

‘On this occasion, Josh has made an error of judgement, he made a mistake and he has shown immediate remorse.

The Cardiff Blues wing has apologised for his actions on the eve of the Six Nations

The Cardiff Blues wing has apologised for his actions on the eve of the Six Nations

‘He was present at a small, immediate family gathering to celebrate a milestone with those close to him but that is against the rules and action had to be taken.’

Adams would usually be a first-choice starter and has been Wales’ most prolific wing since his debut in 2018.

He has scored 14 tries in 29 Tests and topped the charts at the 2019 World Cup with seven scores across the tournament.

A Welsh Rugby Union statement read: ‘We will continue with our programme, which has been very effective to date, and remind everyone of their responsibility to not only adhere to the extensive measures in place but also to set an example.

‘We will work with Josh in relation to his integration back into camp following a further testing and re-education process.’

Ireland game is not under threat after Wayne Pivac's squad returned negative test results

Ireland game is not under threat after Wayne Pivac’s squad returned negative test results

This news is an unnecessary distraction for boss Pivac who is trying to rebuild his side after a terrible 2020.

The New Zealander has won just three of 10 Tests in charge, two against Italy and another against Georgia, and led Wales to their worst Six Nations performance since 2007 finishing fifth in 2020.

Now Pivac will likely turn to Louis Rees-Zammit on the wing for the Irish match, alongside George North and Leigh Halfpenny, with Adams out.