Josh Adams insists Wales are desperate to stretch their winning streak to 15 as Warren Gatland’s side prepare to take on England at Twickenham later today.
The Cardiff Blues star has been named on the wing for the trip to London, as the head coach keeps faith with his Grand Slam-winning group of players.
Adams, who will arrive at Cardiff Arms Park later this season, says the squad are itching for match-action following a gruesome summer training schedule.
“This game has been in the backs of our minds during the weeks of hard training. It’s nice to finally get a game under our belt,” said the former Worcester Warrior.
“It’s another Wales-England game with a big rivalry and one we are looking forward to. The team England have picked looks quite pacey with good footballers in midfield.
“You would never want a 14-match winning streak to end but you have also got to think of the bigger picture with this being Test matches before the World Cup.
“But, with the side we have chosen, it shows we don’t want to lose it.
“Warren could have made some changes and tried different combinations but he’s shown some faith in that Six Nations group of players and given us a chance to go out on Sunday and try and make it 15.”
Adams has already played a part in some memorable battles against Eddie Jones’ side.
His first away cap for Wales came at Twickenham two season ago, with England battling to a 12-6 victory, after former Cardiff Blues outside half, Gareth Anscombe, had a try chalked off in the first half.
However, Adams bounced back a season later to claim a decisive try at Principality Stadium, as Wales secured the win on their way to a famous Grand Slam.
Adams recalls: “It was my second cap and it was close.
“We had a disallowed try from Gareth. You can argue whether it was or not but I think every Welsh fan would say it was a try.
“And Sam Underhill (England flanker) did an outstanding tackle on Scott Williams in the corner, which turned the game really.
“A lot of boys in the squad have been to Twickenham and won but, for me, it would be nice to go there and have a win.
“To be able to play at Twickenham in my second cap was cool. HQ, as they call it over there, is one of the great sporting venues.
“It was a fantastic experience. I remember the weather was really bad that day.
"It was lumping it down with rain, it was cold and it was more of an attritional game.
“Hopefully, the sun will be out this Sunday and both teams can play some nice rugby.
“I still get the odd person asking me about my try against England and it’s nice to hear that,
“But it was the third game of the championship and you had to put it behind you and move on to the next one.”
While Gatland has picked a strong XV for Sunday’s encounter, Adams insists the fight for a spot in the 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup continues, and believes he is not yet an established member of Warren Gatland’s squad.
“I can’t say I’m at that stage but I do feel a lot more relaxed in the environment, with the training and the intensity,.
“I’m definitely up to speed with that sort of thing but the minute you think you’re established and put your feet under the table, that’s sometimes where you can fall off.
“For me, especially still being relatively new to this squad, I have got to keep on improving. There’s loads of places I can get better and I’m determined to be here for a while.
“Everyone in the back-three has trained exceptionally well. Leigh Halfpenny has come back to fitness and is an outstanding player with loads of experience. Owen Lane has come in and been really impressive for the Blues this year and we all know the ability of Steff Evans.
“It’s definitely going to be a tough call but we are all working hard and pushing each other, which is the main thing.
“It’s a friendly rivalry, if you like. If there’s anything I notice with someone else, I tell them this is what you could have done better and vice-versa.
“It’s what’s best for the team and that’s the most important thing. If you are going to win the World Cup, you have got to have a good squad, not just a good XV. That’s been a real good part of the training over the last couple of weeks.
“There’s eight back-three players in the squad and when anybody has had their opportunity they have played exceptionally well.
“Everybody has put a hand up in training and I’m sure everybody is going to get an opportunity in these warm-up games. We will see how it goes from there.”