Booth has helped Beard find his consistency and regain Wales slot

Force: Adam Beard playing for Wales in Six Nations

- STEFFAN THOMAS

ADAM Beard believes getting dropped from the national squad last autumn was a blessing in disguise and insists he can become Wales’ top second row.

The Ospreys lock was a regular starter for Wales during the latter part of the Warren Gatland era but was dropped by Wayne Pivac and sent back to the Ospreys after a dip in form.

But after a series of impressive performances at regional level, Beard returned to play a crucial role in Wales’ Six Nations winning campaign.

And the 25-year-old believes that period out of the squad helped make him a better player. “Yes, probably it was,” said Beard when asked if that period was a blessing in disguise.