HEAD coach Rory Duncan says Worcester Warriors are not willing to risk playing wing Josh Adams in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup match against Stade Francais at Sixways (1pm).

But Duncan said Warriors’ decision to allow Adams extra time to recover from his hamstring problem was not influenced by Wales’ upcoming Six Nations campaign.

The 23-year-old has been selected in Warren Gatland’s 39-man squad for the championship which kicks off on Friday, February 1.

But Adams has not played for Warriors since the 32-6 home thrashing by Northampton Saints on December 21.

Adams was at the Liberty Stadium to see Worcester beat Ospreys 20-18 last Saturday but will play no part in the final Pool Two fixture against Stade Francais.

“Josh is not available for selection this week,” Duncan said.

“He has had that hamstring injury for quite some time now.

“We have been managing him through the process and we want him to be 100 per cent.

“Hamstrings are one of those things that if we take a risk with it now he could be out for six to eight weeks.”

Adams, who made his Wales debut in last season’s Six Nations, has scored three tries in 10 games for Warriors this term.

“Once the medical team has handed him over to us and they say he is ready to go we have full confidence that he will be fit to play,” Duncan continued.

“The fact that he is going to be with Wales is not really part of our planning.

“Obviously we don’t want to take away any opportunities from him.

“But it has been one of those niggling injuries where we were hoping that he was going to be cleared to play but not at this moment in time.”

Adams has won six caps for his country, the most recent coming against South Africa at the Principality Stadium in November’s autumn internationals.

“Josh is a player of international quality,” Duncan added.

“I believe he has stepped up and done a job every time he has played for Wales. He has done them proud.”

Wales’ Six Nations squad.

Forwards: R Evans, W Jones, Smith, Dee, Elias, Owens, Brown, Francis, Lee, Lewis, Ball, Beard, S Davies, Hill, AW Jones, Moriarty, Navidi, Tipuric, Turnbull, Wainwright, Young.

Backs: A Davies, G Davies, T Williams, Anscombe, Biggar, J Evans, Patchell, J Davies, Parkes, Watkin, S Williams, Adams, Amos, S Evans, Halfpenny, Holmes, North, L Williams.