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Gareth Jenkins: Wales coach
Home stadium: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (74,500)
Nickname: Dragons
Number of rugby players in the country: 39,000
National rugby website address: www.wru.co.uk
Current national champions: Ospreys (Magners League) and Neath RFC (Welsh Premiership)
Strengths: Having gone through a long barren spell Welsh rugby went through something of a revival at the last World Cup, and since then they have found success when playing an open and attacking style of play. The first time we saw Wales play such an attacking style was against New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup pool stages, when they came close to beating the mighty All Blacks, and they have gone on to develop their game plan accordingly.
A solid scrum and a variety of educated kickers allows them to play expansive yet structured style of rugby. They thrive when sides kick the ball to them and they can counter attack and possess several dangerous runners, none more so than the elusive Shane Williams. When given the opportunity to utilise their pace they can cut any defence to shreds.
Weaknesses: The biggest weakness in Welsh rugby seems to be consistency. They went from winning the Grand Slam in 2005 to finishing bottom of the Six Nations table the following year. This is, according to some, due to a lack of depth in their squad, which could prove to be a problem come the World Cup. They have also been known to struggle at the set-piece, with their line-out a notable area of concern at present. Whilst their hookers are quality scrummagers and good ball players they all seem to struggle when it comes to the line-out at present. If this continues then they will struggle at the World Cup.
History in the tournament: 1987 - Lost in the semi-finals to New Zealand, 1991 - eliminated in the Pool stages, played three won one, 1995 - Eliminated in the Pool stages, played three won one, 1999 - Lost in the quarter-finals to Australia, 2003 - Lost in the quarter-finals to England
Prediction for this tournament: One would expect Wales to account for Japan, Fiji and Canada in the pool stages, and that just leaves their showdown with Australia. This one could go either way if recent meetings are anything to go by and will go a long way to deciding the Welsh fate. Either as winners or runners-up Wales would face a tough quarter-final, with either the Springboks or England lying in wait. Quarter-finals guaranteed, and a possible semi-final appearance - but no further.
Coach: Gareth Jenkins took over as Welsh coach in 2006 after Mike Ruddock stepped down under a cloud of controversy, having previously been the mainstay coach at Stradey Park for both Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets when regional rugby came about in Wales. A former Llanelli player, Jenkins represented the Barbarians as well as touring with Wales, although he was never to win a full cap. However as a player his crowning moment came when he was a member of the famous Llanelli team who beat New Zealand 9-3 in 1973. His reign at Stradey Park as a coach spanned 24 years and in that time he won four Welsh cups and two league titles under the name Llanelli RFC. The advent of regional rugby saw the RFC side replaced in premier competitions with the Scarlets with whom he won the 2003 Celtic League (now Magners League) as well as reaching two Heineken Cup semi-finals. His record does not make pretty reading at present, with just three wins from thirteen games in charge, but his unique style to coaching is starting to come to the fore now and Wales can expect improved results as the World Cup approaches.
Key player: With the Welsh scrum and forward efforts in the warm-ups looking brittle, a massive defensive effort is required. Enter the back row for some heroics and especially open side Martyn Williams, who was a giant in defeat to France, and tough-tackling all action man Alix Popham, who is filling the size twelves of injured number eight Ryan Jones with considerable aplomb.
Captain: When Gareth Jenkins took over as Welsh coach he elected to have a new captain, and that honour fell to Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones. However, James Hook's accession to the treasured Welsh number ten shirt meant that Jones' place was no longer assured in the team, and thus did ever-present and evergreen wing/centre Gareth Thomas once again assume the mantle. Thomas leads by pure inspiration, having laid body on the line time and time again for his country, and with his wit and espieglerie keeping the boys together off the pitch as well as on it, Welsh helmsmanship will be steady throughout.
Rising star: The golden boy of Welsh rugby at present is James Hook - and for good reason. Having made his debut for Wales without even making a regional appearance, he has gone from strength to strength over the past two years. He proved his worth when he came on against Australia in 2006 and almost single-handedly turned the game around for Wales and rescued a 29-29 draw for them. He has the ability to create space even when none seems coming, has a superb pass from both hands and to top it all is an assured goal kicker. He shot to prominence playing Sevens for Wales before making his debut against Argentina. He can play fly-half or inside centre and will be a regular feature in the Welsh side in France.
Team Nemesis: The old adage in Wales is 'as long as we beat the English' and thus England are and always will be the age-old rivals for Wales. The history between the two sides is long and often controversial. Wales like nothing better than to beat the English, and vice-versa. Wales, in their most recent encounter, recorded a comfortable win over England in the Six Nations - although their defeats to the old enemy are often heavy ones. The most famous win for Wales in recent times came at Wembley (whilst the Millennium Stadium was being developed) when Scott Gibbs scored in the dying moments to give Wales a 32-31 victory that will live on forever in Welsh hearts. Having been knocked-out by England at the quarter-final stages in 2003 Wales will be gunning for World Cup revenge this time around.
Likely headlines: Wales Hooked on golden boy James, Wales stoned by Fijian flyers
Price of a pint: E3.70
Rugby player/sheep ratio: 1:256
