Wales star Adams credits Saints coach Vesty for 'mind-blowing' transformation

Wing wizard Adams has racked up a hugely impressive 14 tries in 24 Test appearances for Wales and ended last year's World Cup as the tournament's top scorer.

But just five years ago he was desperately searching for a big break after being released by the Scarlets.

Worcester, who had Vesty on their coaching staff, eventually took the plunge and gave Adams a chance - and it paid off in fine style.

“It’s mind-blowing when you think about where I was in 2015 to where I am now, but I always 100 per cent believed I could at least be a member of a professional squad," Adams explained in an interview with the Rugby Paper.

"I was confident in myself that I was able to play and compete with the boys at regional level, but I was also probably a bit naïve and I’m glad I didn’t take being let go by Scarlets too hard.

“I took it as the kick up the backside I probably needed and didn’t dwell on it too long, which is just as well because there were hardly any professional options for me at that time apart from Worcester.

“That’s the reason I took it – it was the only offer out there.

“There were various options to play semi-pro rugby or maybe look to go overseas and work on the side, but Worcester offered me a full-time academy contract and the opportunity of solid training and being around good professionals.

“Thank God that option was there and I’ll always be grateful to Mark Hewitt, their academy manager at the time, for looking after me.

"As a Welsh boy in England, Mark was great for me and their backs coach, Sam Vesty, was terrific as well.”

Vesty eventually switched to Saints as attack coach in the summer of 2018 and has helped to shape a razor-sharp game at Franklin's Gardens.

And that doesn't surprise Adams, who has first-hand experience of how the former Leicester back can transform players.

“I’m sure if you ask anybody who’s worked under Sam, they’ll speak highly of him," said Adams, who is now at Cardiff Blues.

"Dan Biggar and I have had a few conversations about Sam and it’s evident to see how much he’s helped ‘Biggs’ at Northampton. How good has Dan been for Wales?

"I think Sam’s brought new dimensions to Dan’s game and it was the same with me when I was at Worcester.

“He’d always hammer on about making sure your training session wasn’t done and how, after the formal business was completed, you’ve got your individual stuff to attend to. In my case, it was with the back-three boys practicing high balls, kicking or whatever and he always made sure I was out there doing the extras.

“Sam was so keen to be out there with us and in some ways he thought he was still a player because he got so involved.

“I’m sure he’s the same at Northampton now and you can see similar things happening with boys like George Furbank, Harry Mallinder, Rory Hutchinson, Fraser Dingwall and Alex Mitchell, who are all improving fast and putting themselves in contention to play international rugby.

"Sam’s given them the confidence to perform and Northampton have an unbelievable crop.”