Adam Beard returns to training after mad dash home to see birth of his third child as Wales get back to to business ahead of final Pool game against Georgia

Key Wales figure Adam Beard returns to training with Warren Gatland’s side on Saturday after a mad dash home to welcome the arrival of his third child.

Beard is getting used to drama when it comes to participating in World Cups.

In 2019, he became ill just before flying to Japan and was eventually diagnosed with appendicitis. Lock Beard immediately went under the knife to have his appendix removed before making a miraculous recovery and flying to the Far East as Wales reached the semi-finals.

This year Beard flew home after Wales secured a place in the quarter-finals in France by beating Eddie Jones’ Australia 40-6.

He was present when wife Chelsea gave birth to new daughter Ella Mae and will soon be back in action as Wales begin preparations for their final Pool C match with Georgia.

Gatland’s team trained in front of 1,000 children in Versailles yesterday (FRI). Beard was absent but key number 10 Dan Biggar took part in a morning fitness session.

Biggar suffered a chest injury against Australia. He is touch and go against Georgia on October 7 but should be fit for the Wales quarter-final.

Liam Williams missed training yesterday (FRI) due to illness, but Wales have no serious injury concerns and have form, confidence and momentum behind them.

If they beat Georgia, they will likely meet Japan or Argentina in their first knockout match.

“It’s great news for him and his family,” Wales assistant coach Jonathan Thomas said of Beard.

‘Then it’s nothing serious, it’s just a bit of a strain on the chest muscles. I don’t think anything is off the table in terms of Georgia selection, but that two-week window is still there.

“It’s just an ongoing assessment.”

In a long tournament, Wales players and staff were given three days off after beating Australia.

Some, like Beard, returned home, but the majority remained in the Paris area, with Disneyland a popular destination for many players, especially those with young families.

Now it’s back to work.

The World Cup in Wales couldn’t have gone better so far. The turnaround since the Six Nations – when Welsh rugby was in crisis both on and off the field – has been truly remarkable.

‘It’s always important to enjoy the moment. Professional sports can be brutal. Winning that match in Australia was a huge moment for us in terms of qualifying,” Thomas said.

‘It was good to have that feel-good factor on the way to free time. Professional sports are about being humble and resetting. For me, confidence comes from preparation and the work you do during the week.

“You can’t look back and say we have confidence because of that win.

‘We have to press reset, like the boys did. We have a tough game next week and we will fully concentrate on that.”

Georgia has yet to win this World Cup and will face Fiji in Bordeaux today (SAT). A win in Fiji would eliminate Australia and make them the first Wallaby side to be eliminated in the pool stages.

Meanwhile, France are confident iconic captain Antoine Dupont will be fit for the quarter-final.

Dupont suffered a broken cheekbone against Namibia and underwent surgery last Friday.

He will not face Italy in France’s final Pool A match but should be fit for the knockouts, which is a huge boost for Fabien Galthie’s side.

That’s especially the case given the way the draw is shaping up, France could end up meeting defending champions South Africa in what would be a huge quarter-final.

‘It’s good news. We will wait for his return and talk to him to see how he is doing,” French flanker Francois Cros told Midi Olympique about Dupont’s recovery. ‘You have to remain optimistic.’