Wales wing Josh Adams has been released from international camp to start for Cardiff against Ospreys at St Helen's on Saturday in the United Rugby Championship (URC). The 31-year-old is the only Welsh region-based member of Steve Tandy's squad to be sent out for game time prior to the Nations Championship.
Adams returned from a hamstring injury off the bench at Northampton a fortnight ago and started the defeat by Sharks at Cardiff Arms Park last weekend. Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl said: "Josh has only played close to 100 minutes and if you are to look at Test match preparation you probably need almost double that, so it makes sense."
Both teams are missing several Wales internationals. Cardiff are without six other members of the Wales squad, while Ospreys are missing four players. Van Zyl acknowledged the challenge: "I would say that you want to see derbies with full squads and both teams being able to select whoever they want. It's in the schedule, and unfortunately there are priorities with Wales. We lose a few and they lose a few, which will test the squads and lead to opportunities."
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones expressed disappointment for supporters: "It is disappointing for supporters in general. We are trying to grow the game in Wales, make it front and centre and have as many people in the ground as possible watching. That creates a better atmosphere but, from a financial perspective, people spending money want to watch the best players, and that is the challenge."
Team line-ups: Ospreys: Hopkins; Morgan, Watkin (co-capt), K Williams, Giles; Creighton, L Davies; S Thomas, Parry (co-capt), Botha, Ratti, Smith, Wright, Moriarty, M Morris. Replacements: Daniel, C Jones, Warren, R Davies, Morse, H Williams, Wilde, Boshoff. Cardiff: Young; Adams, Malan, Emanuel, Bowen; J Evans, Mulder; Southworth, Hughes, Assiratti, McNally (capt), Thornton, Paea, Thomas, Lawrence. Replacements: Howe, Sio, Sebastian, Manz, de la Rua, A Davies, Sheedy, Darwin-Lewis. Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales).
