Wales have been a dealt a blow
Josh Adams will miss the remainder of Wales’ autumn campaign after World Rugby decided to uphold his red card against Japan.
The Wales wing saw red when he needlessly charged into a ruck on the stroke of half-time, with his shoulder making contact with the head of Japan’s Kippei Ishida. He was initially awarded a yellow card but it got upgraded to a 20-minute red card after review.
As a result Adams has been banned for three games but it will be reduced to two if he agrees to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme. Adams will miss Wales’ clash with New Zealand this Saturday and the Test against South Africa a week later.
In the unlikely event he does not take part in the coaching intervention programme he will also miss Cardiff’s EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Stade Francais on December 6.
Adams appeared before an independent video disciplinary committee this afternoon via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.11 against Japan.
The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Jeremy Summers (England), joined by Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) and Val Toma (Romania).
A World Rugby statement read: “The Disciplinary Committee has upheld the red card issued to the player and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, have determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate.
“In light of the player accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as other mitigating factors, they have applied the maximum 50% reduction in sanction, thus reducing the final sanction to three weeks/matches.”
This will come as a significant blow to Wales, especially for the game against South Africa where they will be without all of their English based players due to the Test falling outside of World Rugby’s designated international window.
The likes of Scarlets pair Tom Rogers and Blair Murray, along with Dragons wing Rio Dyer are also options on the wing, while Louis Rees-Zammit will only be available to take on the All Blacks.
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