Rugby World Cup 2023 is rapidly approaching, with just under two weeks until the opening game. Rugby.com.au examines every team's chances in France, looking at Wales.
Wales will be feeling a little sense of deja vu as they head to this World Cup.
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Whilst they will once again face Australia and Fiji in the pool stages, the squad is vastly different from four years ago.
A host of experienced players have stepped away from the Test arena, leading to the likes of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake to step up as leaders.
What hasn’t changed from 2019 is their coach, with Warren Gatland returning to his post after a brief stint with the Chiefs.
Finished first in their 2019 RWC Pool
Wales are one of several teams to ditch their coach in the build-up to the World Cup after a disappointing run of form.
Losses to Georgia and Australia saw the end of Wayne Pivac’s tenure, allowing for Wales’ hero Gatland to return to the fold.
His tenure started poorly, managing just one win over Italy in the 2023 Six Nations.
They rebounded with a pair of wins over England, only to fall 52-16 to South Africa.
Ospreys forwards Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake have been named as Wales co-captains for the Rugby World Cup in a squad announced by coach Warren Gatland on Monday.
The 33-strong party for the showpiece tournament, which starts in France next month, features several recent newcomers to Test rugby, including wing Rio Dyer and centre Mason Grady.
But there is no place in the squad for scrum-half Kieran Hardy, with Gatland selecting just two specialist nines in Tomos Williams and Gareth Davies.
Backs: Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies, Rio Dyer, Mason Grady, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Liam Williams, Tomos Williams.
Forwards: Taine Basham, Adam Beard, Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, Ryan Elias, Taulupe Faletau, Tomas Francis, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake, Dillon Lewis, Dan Lydiate, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Will Rowlands, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright.
Louis Rees-Zammit headlines a host of dangerous weapons in the Welsh backline.
Rees-Zammit is one of the fastest players in World Rugby, bursting onto the scene in 2021 after being named the youngest Lion since 1959 at just 20-year-old.
Wales’ hopes on going deep in this tournament rest on the likes of Dan Bigger and Leigh Halfpenny getting him consistent ball wherever he lines up in the back three.
It’s weird to consider one of the captains as a ‘breakthrough player’ but Jac Morgan is still making his name in World Rugby.
The 23-year-old has emerged from almost nowhere to step into the captaincy role alongside Dewi Lake, with the two sharing a combined 20 Test caps.
It’s clear to see how much Gatland and Welsh Rugby rates the backrower, given he only debuted 18 months ago, with the Ospreys prospect a natural leader that can cause havoc at the breakdown.
Played: 44
Wins: 26
Loses: 18
Best Finish: Third (1987)
2019: Fourth
2015: Quarter Finals
2011: Fourth
2007: Group Stages
2003: Quarter Finals
Wales and Australia are building a tantalising rivalry at the World Cup.
The Welsh hold bragging rights for 2019 but will be kicking themselves that they allowed a sizeable lead to slip away in their last match-up in 2022.
This clash is important towards deciding Pool C, even deciding Wales’ knockout hopes particularly if they can’t get past Fiji like in 2007
Mon Sep 11 (5:00 AM): Wales v Fiji, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Sun Sep 17 (1:45 AM): Wales v Portugal, Stade de Nice, Nice
Mon Sep 25 (5:00 AM): Wales v Australia, OL Stadium, Lyon
Sun Oct 8 (12:00 AM): Wales v Georgia, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
