Jamie Adamson has his British & Irish Lions kit ready to go to follow the team around but first, he must focus on shutting them down.
The Durham product’s wild journey continues after Adamson was named in the NSW Waratahs side to face the Lions on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
Adamson had previously represented England at the Commonwealth Games and was set to follow the Lions around in 2021 with his university side.
Now, the flanker is preparing for his own Lions debut of sorts after earning a Waratahs contract following a breakout year in Shute Shield in 2024.
“Yeah, it's a strange one. I can't say that it crossed my mind that I'd be playing against them but obviously a really cool opportunity. I think it's going to be an amazing experience,” Adamson said.
“…I don't really think it's settled in yet, to be honest. I probably won't until I'm at the bottom of a ruck on Saturday night and see a Lions shirt opposite me, to be honest.”
The Easts product has tickets for Wednesday’s game against the ACT Brumbies and given the rivalry, is happy to pull on the red jersey alongside the family, who have come down to watch him.
He’s still looking for tickets for the third Test in Sydney but before that, the focus is on causing the upset on Saturday.
“It's a huge, huge challenge playing a Test match standard side. I think we just need to rise to the occasion and just control those emotions,” Adamson said.
“It's not going to be a game that anyone's struggling to get up for. It’s just keeping control of those emotions, sticking to our game plan and then just being present in the moment and taking it as it comes.”
Adamson took time to reflect on his journey, having returned to England nine months after expecting his stint in Australia to be over, only for a train-and-trial deal to emerge from coach Dan McKellar.
“It's come thick and fast over the last 18 months,” he admits. “I'm just trying to take it as it comes and enjoy every step.
“This is the place I call home now. I love living in Sydney, love being at the Tahs. It's a club that's done so much for me in such a short space of time. Just grateful for the opportunity and really looking forward to continuing here next season.”
