Widnes lock, a star of the club's Wembley Cup Final victory in 1975, first came to Australia with Great Britain's 1975 World Cup squad. Adams later spent two seasons with Canterbury before touring Australia with the 1979 Lions. He played in all three Tests on the tour and was later vice-captain of the 1984 Lions that failed to win a Test in Australia and New Zealand. Adams later immigrated to Australia after his retirement as a player.