JOSH Adams says it will be an “incredibly hard” decision to leave Worcester Warriors — although he realises a return to Wales is the only way of keeping his international hopes alive.

It has been a whirlwind 12 months for the 23-year-old wing who finished last season as the Premiership’s joint-top try scorer and made his Wales debut.

Swansea-born Adams stressed he would not have achieved such heights without the support of Warriors but with one year left on his deal he now faces a big decision over his future.

Under Welsh Rugby Union’s rules, a player looking to land a new contract at a club outside of Wales must have at least 60 caps to represent the national team.

This means Adams will need to join one of the four regions in Wales next summer to remain in Warren Gatland's plans.

“The rule is obvious, everyone knows it and everybody asks me about it,” Adams said.

“It’s clear to see I am on four caps so it is impossible (to get to 60) when there are only 10 international fixtures in a season.

“Obviously as I am at a young age with international rugby (aspirations) it is going to have to come into consideration.

“But the focus is now on starting the year playing really well at Worcester because if I am not I won’t be selected.”

Adams was snapped up by Warriors in 2015 after struggling for game-time at Scarlets and soon made an impression in the first team.

The potent back, who had spent time on loan at Cinderford and Nottingham, has notched 30 tries in 48 games in the past two seasons.

“I was a young Welsh lad and there wasn’t really any opportunities for me in Wales,” Adams said.

“I was let go by Scarlets and other teams had their back three players.

“To get the opportunity to come over to Worcester, experience something new by living away from home having to fend for myself and manage my money was massive for me.

“Without Worcester and playing in the Premiership every week then I would not have four international caps and would never have finished joint-top try scorer.

“It will be an incredibly hard decision but that’s something I am going to talk over with a few people and when that time comes it will come.

“But for now my head is solely on playing well for the start of the year as it is important we start well.”

Asked when he expected to have his future resolved, Adams replied: “It’s not something where I can give you a month or a day.

“When things happen they happen so it will be later down the line — that’s all I am saying.”

Adams said he had also settled in Worcester with his girlfriend who has recently got a teaching job in the city.

“We are both really happy,” Adams added.

“We have got a nice apartment which is really close to town and convenient for us.

“We both really enjoy living in Worcester. It is a nice place, we get on with everybody here and there are loads of things for us to do.

“My girlfriend has gone straight from university into a job which is quite difficult to do.

“I am proud of her and how well she has done to get a job in Worcester. It’s great for me as well that she is happy as I can concentrate on my rugby.”