Wales wing Josh Adams believes Argentina and South Africa will face a significantly improved Wales side in the upcoming Nations Championship matches, compared to the teams that suffered heavy defeats last year. In Steve Tandy's first campaign, Argentina scored 52 points in a victory in Cardiff, while South Africa recorded a record 73-0 win weeks later. Wales have begun to turn things around, demonstrated by Saturday's 39-24 victory over Fiji.
Adams Confident in Wales Progress
Speaking ahead of Saturday's Test in San Juan against Argentina, followed by a match against the world champion Springboks in Durban, Adams said: "We feel as a team that we’ve progressed from then. I’d like to think they’ll see a progression in our game." He added: "It will certainly be a different test going to San Juan and playing Argentina, and then the world champions in Durban. So we’ve got some tests coming up and it will be a good gauge where this team is at the next two weeks, certainly."
Adams, who scored in the win over Fiji, was part of the Wales side that won a two-Test series in Argentina in 2018. "I played at San Juan back in 2018 and I won," he said. "But I know how tough it is and I know how good the Argentinians are at the minute. They are a very good team. You talk about Tests – and that’s right up there."
Wales Building Momentum
The victory over Fiji marked Wales' first consecutive Test victories since the 2023 World Cup pool stages. Adams praised the team's growth: "There were loads of good improvements from the Six Nations, which was pleasing. We saw the game out and managed it really well. We want to kick on, we’ve been together now for three campaigns. There’s more expectation now within our group and we put more pressure on ourselves to achieve things. Our game’s moving on nicely."
Anglo-Welsh Friendlies Announced
Exeter Chiefs, beaten Gallagher Premiership finalists, have announced pre-season friendlies against Cardiff and Scarlets. The Scarlets will travel to Sandy Park on September 5, while Exeter will visit Cardiff Arms Park on September 19. Cardiff are set to have another friendly in England on September 5, but their opponent has not yet been announced.
Wales International Abbie Fleming Joins Leicester Tigers
Wales second-row Abbie Fleming will join Leicester Tigers Women next season after leaving Harlequins. The 30-year-old, who has also played for Cardiff and Exeter, has made 39 appearances for Quins since joining in 2023. Fleming said: "I'm really looking forward to joining Tigers this season. I believe in the game plan, and I can't wait to see what we can achieve together as a club. It's a fresh start, and I'm excited to rebuild and grow as a player at a club whose values I fully align with." Leicester finished bottom of PWR last season, losing all 16 league games. Tigers director of women's rugby Fraser Goatcher added: "Abbie is somebody who is incredibly physical, we're really looking forward to seeing what she's going to add to our defence but also her attacking prowess as well."
Springboks Make 10 Changes for Scotland Clash
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has made wholesale changes for this weekend's Nations Championship match against Scotland in Pretoria. Ten of the matchday 23 from the win over England are retained, with five of the starting XV remaining: Jesse Kriel, Damian Willemse, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Paul de Villiers, and Ruan Nortje. Canan Moodie, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Zach Porthen, Ben-Jason Dixon and Grant Williams are also retained, with Moodie promoted from the bench. Key players Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Ox Nche, Franco Mostert and Andre Esterhuizen are out injured. Erasmus said: "We have good depth in our squad, and this will be a great test for the team. We told the players from the outset that we would give as many of them a chance as possible to play this season."
Ireland Prop Loughman Ruled Out of Japan Match
Ireland prop Jeremy Loughman will miss Saturday's Nations Championship clash against Japan due to a concussion sustained in the win over Australia. He was replaced by Tom O’Toole in the second half and has been stood down for the Test in Newcastle. Rob Baloucoune missed the Australia match with a hamstring injury, and Ireland will monitor his fitness before naming their side on Wednesday.
