Josh Adams knows what it takes to win with Wales and has a Grand Slam, a Six Nations title and a fourth-place finish at the World Cup in his locker.
The Cardiff Rugby wing will head back to Japan this week, where he finished as the top try scorer at Rugby World Cup 2019 with nine touchdowns, with a different mission.
“It hurts me when some boys say they’ve never won with Wales. It’s horrible when they say things like that because of the things I’ve experienced,” said Adams.
“I didn’t know how to lose at one stage for Wales. Even when we weren’t playing well we managed to win.
“It’s strange, I think we probably just got a little bit lost and now we’re trying to find our way back. It’ll come, because there is no doubt the talent in the squad is as good as in the past.
“I see it every day, these boys are as good as what we’ve had. It’s just that confidence is a huge thing, although I believe these lads are good enough to produce the goods and win.”
Adams has been getting up close and personal with his teammates at the National Centre of Excellence in a special heat chamber as they try to replicate the stifling heat and humidity they will experience playing in Kitakyushu and Kobe.
“We’ve done a fair bit of prep for the conditions and it’s quite uncomfortable. It’s been tough,” added Adams.
“When we were in Japan for the World Cup in 2019 it was September last time, so the temperature was different. The humidity makes it feel like 10 degrees warmer than what it actually is.
“We’ve been doing skills sessions coming straight out of the heat chamber where it has been 37 degrees and 88% humidity – it’s brutal, horrible.
“It’s really uncomfortable because we’re all crammed in. We’re using bikes, rowing machines and skierg machines and we are given certain times and calorie targets to hit.
“When you’re knackered and you want a bit of space just to breathe, you can’t because it’s so hot and stuffy and everyone’s rubbing against each other.”
The S&C staff and physios are always on hand to ensure the players don’t get into difficulties and it has given everyone a chance to experience what it is going to be like playing against Eddie Jones’ side in Japan.