Adam hopes for starring role in world final

The Cromkill man is hoping to be part of the Ireland team chasing a historic triumph at the under-20 World Championships in England.

Standing in their way in Saturday’s final are the host nation in a surprise decider between two countries who only finished third and fifth in this year’s under-20 Six Nations championship.

Hooker Adam has already played a key role in Ireland’s progress to the final, scoring tries in each of their opening group wins against Wales and New Zealand.

Ireland also overcame Georgia in their group before defeating Argentina in the semi-final.

Adam took to social media to put on record his gratitude to Randalstown Rugby Club, where he spent his formative rugby-playing days, writing: “Just want to thank everyone at the club for the support I’ve been given all the years going through the club and the couple of seasons I’ve been away, wouldn’t have this opportunity without it.”

Meanwhile, it also promises to be a huge day for another Ballymena-based player, Luke Marshall, as he attempts to help the senior Ireland team to an historic first series triumph in South Africa.

Marshall has ben named in Joe Schmidt’s starting line-up to face the Springboks in Port Elizabeth, with the series deadlocked at one win apiece.