Adam Beard has revealed he had to force feed himself in order keep his World Cup dream alive after his appendix operation.
The Wales second row has overcome appendicitis and the resulting weight loss to make his World Cup debut and is keen to prove himself against Uruguay on Sunday with an eye on a starting place in the quarter-finals.
The 23-year-old Beard was a regular partner of captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second row but felt ill shortly before the team left for Japan and was told not to fly with the side.
“I just came down with a bit of a bad stomach (and) I didn’t think anything of it,” said Beard.
“I texted the doctor and asked for a few tablets to hopefully settle the stomach, but it progressively got more painful, and when we got to Heathrow the doctor assessed me and made me not fit to fly.
“I went back to Cardiff and the Heath Hospital and had surgery on my appendix. About 10 days later I flew to Japan.”
Beard added that he had lost about five kilograms following the surgery and that having to put the weight back on had been a bit of a struggle.
“We normally eat about five or six times a day, and I added extra on, with extra porridge and fruit at breakfast, and trying to get back into the training regime,” he said.
“Losing that much weight, you lose your appetite at the same time. My stomach was hurting at times, but I knew I had to get the weight back on.”
Wales have already advanced to the quarter-finals but with victory against the South Americans can top Pool D and face the inconsistent French in Oita next Sunday in the quarter-finals rather than Eddie Jones’ powerful England team.
Beard has not appeared yet at the World Cup in Japan as he recovered from the keyhole surgery and he will partner Bradley Davies in the middle row against Uruguay for Warren Gatland’s side, who are nursing some injury concerns.
Centre Jonathan Davies (knee) and flyhalf Dan Biggar (head injury assessment) are Gatland’s biggest worries looking ahead to next week, but Beard said there was enough depth and competition in the squad, which would be evident on Sunday.
“We want to finish this group on a high with four wins, and Gats has said there are places to be put up for the quarter-final in that 23,” he said.
“So it is about putting our best forward and trying to get a place in the match-day 23 for the quarters.
“The competition for places has brought the best out of everyone and created the strength in depth.
“I think anyone could slip into the team and put a performance in. We can’t wait to get out there.”
Shaun Edwards accepts that Wales need to tighten up defensively as they build towards the World Cup quarter-finals.
Wales have conceded eight tries in three Pool D games, while official statistics revealed a high missed tackle count against Fiji on Wednesday.
“I realised we missed 25 tackles, then I thought to myself, ‘who did we miss those tackles on?’” said Wales defence specialist.
“Then I looked, and there were 16 missed tackles on both of their wingers (Josua Tuisova and Semi Radradra) who, let’s be honest, are not the easiest human beings to tackle.
“If anyone has an A-Z on how to tackle Josua Tuisova, please send me it. They are incredible athletes. Obviously, there were too many (missed tackles).
“But we only missed nine tackles on the rest of the team. Those two wingers are exceptional.
“Having said that, looking at the rest of the competition, France (Wales’ likely quarter-final opponents) also have incredibly talented individuals, similar athletes, and we do need to improve that situation.”