Beard hopes to repeat Wales success in Argentina

Nations Championship: Argentina v Wales

Saturday, 11 July (20:10 BST)

Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan

Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app which also has live text commentary. Watch live on S4C.

The Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in San Juan is an intimate venue that holds just over 25,000.

“They can be hostile crowds but as rugby players and sports people these are the type of events and places that you want to go and play in,” added Beard.

“To experience different crowds and teams is great, so the boys are looking forward to playing on the weekend.”

Overcoming Six Nations adversity

Beard will win his 67th cap on Saturday and has had to fight for his Wales place in the past 12 months.

The 31-year-old suffered a nightmare performance against France, including an attempt at a kick which lead to a French try.

Beard was dropped to the replacements bench, with Ben Carter partnering Dafydd Jenkins for the rest of the tournament.

“The start of the Six Nations was not great for myself probably, especially that France performance,” mentioned Beard.

“That wasn’t good enough for myself and it was a couple of costly mistakes that I wasn’t proud of but sometimes that is sport and you don’t always get the performances you want to.

“I had a lot of time to reflect on that and it was a different role for me towards the end of the campaign. I feel like I adapted well to that role coming off the bench.”

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With Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins ruled out of Wales’ summer games by a shoulder injury, Beard returned to the starting side against Fiji in the opening Nations Championship victory.

“I didn’t take it for granted and felt like I put in a good performance and whenever you get those opportunities now you’ve got to take it with both hands,” mentioned Beard.

“I just want to enjoy my rugby being back in the Wales jersey.

“There’s loads of good quality second rows in Wales, I’m one of the oldest now being 30. I still feel like I’m young in the head but getting on now with 60 odd caps.

“I feel like I’ve still got a lot to give in the Welsh jersey.”

Wales head coach Steve Tandy – who also coached Beard at the Ospreys – was impressed with how the British and Irish Lions lock reacted.

“I thought it was one of his best games for us last weekend,” mentioned Tandy.

“The response shows what Beardy is as a bloke.

“The way he responded the day after the France defeat, and the way he was with the group helping the opposition boys get us prepared, was brilliant.

“His drive to get back on the team has been outstanding.”

Beard will complete a long season after the final two Wales matches against Argentina and South Africa in Durban next weekend.

The former Ospreys lock had only just linked up with the Wales squad a couple of days before the Fiji game, following a mammoth first season with French club Montpellier, which included a Challenge Cup success and losing the Top 14 final to Toulouse.

“I have personally loved it and it was probably the best decision I’ve made rugby wise so far for myself and my family,” mentioned Beard.

“It was a tough decision at first, leaving the Ospreys after being there since I was 14.

“But it was probably something, if I didn’t join Montpellier, I might have regretted at the end of my career.”

While playing in France is a tough challenge, it is also a rewarding one mentioned Beard.

“It’s a physical league and you’ve got to play 30 games a season,” he added.

“But just the support and passion, everything they do out in the Top 14 is a different level to what I’ve experienced before.

“So it’s been an amazing move for myself and my family.”