Josh Adams has hailed his Wales wing counterpart Jasmine Joyce as the best women's rugby player in the world.
Both Wales teams are preparing to begin their respective autumn campaigns, and Lions and Cardiff star Adams believes it is "vitally important" that his international team-mates support Wales Women as they head into their penultimate campaign before next year's postponed World Cup in New Zealand.
Wayne Pivac's Six Nations champions are looking to send a message to the All Blacks, South Africa, Fiji and Australia when the southern hemisphere giants head to the Principality Stadium, while Wales Women take on Japan, South Africa and Canada next door at the Arms Park.
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In a very different place results-wise to Pivac's side, Wales Women's on and off-field issues have been well-documented in recent months, with an independent Welsh Rugby Union review officially recommending players should be awarded contracts to steer away from amateur players having to balance full-time work or education with rugby.
New WRU performance director Nigel Walker insists the resource is being made available to make Wales Women a priority, but players' challenging situations were perhaps best exemplified when double Olympian and winger Joyce revealed she would be returning to amateur status and full-time work at the end of this year when Team GB Sevens' programme ends. That's despite the Bristol Bears Women back shining on the world stage during the World Rugby Sevens Series, notably with a "tackle for the ages" which you can watch here.
Asked about the importance of men's rugby internationals supporting women's rugby during a Wales press conference, Adams told WalesOnline: "It’s vitally important that we as a male senior team support the women.
"I know there’s been a few things going on above my pay grade as well but hopefully with Nigel Walker coming in, these issues can be sorted out and quickly as well because there’s fantastic talent in that Wales Women team.
"Wales have got probably the best women’s player in the world in Jasmine Joyce, and I’ve seen articles that she’s had to finish playing with GB Sevens and had to go back to full-time work. That would be unheard of in the men’s game."
Walker has since revealed he is set to holds talks with 26-year-old Joyce about her personal situation amid hopes there will be developments on Wales Women contracts "over the coming months". You can read his latest comments here.
Adams will also be keeping an eye out for Wales scrum-half Keira Bevan, a friend and former neighbour.
"She used to live a few doors down from me – she’s a fantastic player. If these girls can get full-time training, physios, everything like that and not just when they come into international camp, that could benefit them massively going forward."
The two Wales sides are in separate bubbles for the autumn, with Pivac's men at the Vale Resort HQ and Wales Women in a purpose-built performance centre at the Principality Stadium.
As for a rapport between the teams, whose players both featured in a joint kit launch this week, Adams said: "Yes, there is [a rapport].
"It is difficult being in these bubbles, we are in different areas, but in terms of that, say the ladies’ game is on night before us it’s always on here in the team room and we’re always sitting down and watching it.
"We are always supporting. It is difficult in these circumstance but they have got our full support and we’re always cheering them on."
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