Rugby World Cup Profile – Wales
The Wales national Rugby Union team, often referred to as the Dragons, is placed in Pool D of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC). Besides Wales other teams in Pool D include Fiji, Namibia, Samoa
and defending champions, South Africa.
The 2011 RWC appearance will be Wales consecutive seventh appearance in the RWC. Wales probably has the poorest track record in the Rugby Union’s premier event, of all the top 12 rugby-playing
nations.
Besides not been able to progress to reach the second round of the global tournament on three occasions, on two seperate years they suffered a defeat by minnows. In 1991, Western Samoa handed
over a shocking defeat and later in 2007, Fiji denied them from a place in the second round. They once reach the semi-final stage of the tournament, which was back in the 1987.
Wales is currently ranked at the seventh place in the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) World Rankings. They qualified for the 2011 RWC tournament, courtesy of being one of the top 12 rugby-playing
nations in the world.
Besides their international tours and matches, Wales are regular members of the European Six Nations tournament. Wales finished fourth in the 2011 Six Nations tournaments, with 6 points coming
from their three wins in the competition.
The lost their opening 2011 Tri Nations encounter against the England 19 – 26, they won their matches against the Scotland, Italy, and Ireland. They lost their last match against the Les Blues
28 – 9.
In their 2011 pre rugby world cup warm up matches, they have drawn their two match series against the England 1 – all.
The duo of Gareth Delve and Mike Phillips are probably the most followed Welsh international players.
Welsh international number eight, Delve represents the Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby competition.
Welsh international scrum half Mike Phillips is renowned for his close body physical game. He so far, has over 50 tests caps to his name, and is considered as, the one of the best scrumhalf
in the world.
Gareth Thomas with his 14 appearances holds the Wales record for the most appearances in the RWC tournament. Neil Jenkins has scored 98 points from his 7 matches, as he holds the record of
the highest points scored for Welsh side. His 98 points consists of a penalty, 19 conversions and 19 penalties.
The trio of Gareth Thomas, Ieuan Evans, and Shane Williams with their seven tries each share the record of highest number of tries by a Welsh player in the RWC tournament.
Wales shortened 39 – man preliminary RWC consists of:
Scott Andrews, Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Paul James (Ospreys), Ken Owens, Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs),
Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams (Blues), Luke Charteris, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau (Dragons), Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull, (Scarlets), Gareth Delve (Melbourne Rebels), Andy Powell (Sale
Sharks), Michael Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets),Jamie Roberts (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan) Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams (Scarlets), Gavin Henson (unattached),Leigh Halfpenny (Blues),
Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Aled Brew (Dragons), Shane Williams (Ospreys), George North, Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets).
Wales will be counting heavily on the pair of Hook and Phillips to make good and deliver during the 2011 RWC. They will start as favourites to win their matches against Namibia, while for their
remaining clashes they need to work hard to survive and make it to the second round from the pool of death.
Wales need to register victories against the Fiji and Samoa to give them a real chance of making it to the second round of the tournament.
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