Adam Beard returns to training after mad dash home to see birth of his third child as Wales get back to to business ahead of final Pool game against Georgia

• Adam Beard to return to training after dash back from the birth of his third child 
• Wales set to place final Pool C game against Georgia next week in Nantes 
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here 

Key Wales figure Adam Beard will return to training with Warren Gatland’s side on Saturday after a mad dash home to welcome the arrival of his third child.

Beard is getting used to drama when it comes to competing at World Cups.

In 2019, he was taken ill just before flying to Japan and was eventually diagnosed with appendicitis. Lock Beard immediately went under the knife to have his appendix removed before making a miracle recovery to fly to the Far East as Wales reached the semi-finals.

This year, Beard flew home after Wales sealed a quarter-final spot in France by hammering Eddie Jones’ Australia 40-6.

He was present as wife Chelsea gave birth to new daughter Ella Mae and will soon be back in action as Wales start preparations for their final Pool C clash with Georgia.

Adam Beard will return to training ahead of Wales’ final Pool C clash against Georgia 

Beard had returned home to witness the birth of his new baby daughter before dashing back 

Warren Gatland’s side trained in front of 1,000 children in Versailles on Friday ahead of clash

Gatland’s side trained in front of 1,000 children in Versailles yesterday (FRI). Beard was absent but key No 10 Dan Biggar took part in a morning fitness session.

Biggar suffered a pectoral injury against Australia. He is touch and go to face Georgia on October 7 but should be fit for Wales’ quarter-final.

Liam Williams missed training yesterday (FRI) due to illness, but Wales have no serious injury concerns and have form, confidence and momentum behind them.

If they beat Georgia, they will likely face either Japan or Argentina in their first knock-out game.

‘It’s great news for him and his family,’ Wales assistant coach Jonathan Thomas said of Beard.

‘Dan is nothing serious – it’s just a bit of a pectoral strain. I don’t think anything is off the table in terms of selection for Georgia, but that two-week timeframe is still there or thereabouts.

‘It’s just an ongoing assessment.’

In a long tournament, Wales’ players and staff were given three days off after beating Australia.

Some, like Beard, returned home but the majority stayed in the Paris area with Disneyland a popular destination for many of the players, especially those with young families.

Now, it’s back to business.

Wales celebrate their massive 40-6 win over Australia early this month at the World Cup 

Wales’ World Cup couldn’t have gone better so far. The turnaround since the Six Nations – when Welsh rugby was in crisis on and off the field – has been truly remarkable.

‘It’s always important to enjoy the moment. Professional sport can be relentless. Winning that Australia game was a huge moment for us in terms of qualifying,’ said Thomas.

‘It was good to have that feel-good factor heading into time off. Professional sport is about being humble and hitting reset. For me, confidence comes from preparation and the work you do in the week.

‘You can’t look back and say we’re confident because of that victory.

‘We need to hit reset, as the boys have done. We’ve got a tough game next week and we’ll be completely focused on that.’

Georgia are yet to win at this World Cup and face Fiji in Bordeaux today (SAT). A Fiji win would eliminate Australia and make them the first Wallaby side to be knocked out in the pool stages.

Meanwhile, France are confident iconic captain Antoine Dupont will be fit for their quarter-final.

Dupont suffered a broken cheekbone against Namibia and underwent surgery last Friday.

He won’t face Italy in France’s final Pool A game but should be fit for the knock-outs which is a huge boost to Fabien Galthie’s side.

That’s especially the case as with the way the draw is shaping up, France may well end up facing defending champions South Africa in what would be a titanic quarter-final clash.

‘It’s good news. We will wait for his return and talk to him to see how he is,’ France flanker Francois Cros told Midi Olympique about Dupont’s recovery. ‘You have to remain optimistic.’

Source: Read Full Article