Read below for all you need to know about Rugby World Cup Pool C, as Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal face one another; We detail the key dates, fixtures, each team's World Cup records, key players, head coaches and the 33-player squads for the tournament
Thursday 7 September 2023 07:09, UK
We look at everything you need to know from Rugby World Cup Pool C, featuring Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal...
1987: Third place
1991: Pool stages
1995: Pool stages
1999: Quarter-finals
2003: Quarter-finals
2007: Pool stages
2011: Fourth place
2015: Quarter-finals
2019: Fourth place
Jac Morgan. The 23-year-old being made co-captain after just 11 international appearances has drawn parallels to when Warren Gatland handed the honour to a 22-year-old Sam Warburton 12 years ago. Incidentally, Morgan fits the Warburton mould as a player too; a ferocious openside flanker who has quickly garnered a reputation as a top-level breakdown operator. If Wales are to get anywhere in this tournament, Morgan must announce himself on the world stage.
Warren Gatland. The 2019 Rugby World Cup was supposed to be Warren Gatland's swansong; the final pages of a historically successful chapter in the history of Welsh rugby. However, three years after stepping down, the New Zealander returned with his beloved adopted home in dire straits.
But his comeback has not prompted a turnaround in fortunes, rather emphasised the depth of the hole in which Welsh rugby finds itself. The man who has taken Wales to three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals will elevate his legacy to a new stratosphere if he can lead his flailing side deep into this year's tournament.
Forwards (19): 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.
Backs (14): 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, Kubota Spears, Tomos Williams.
1987: Fourth place
1991: Champions
1995: Quarter-finals
1999: Champions
2003: Runners-up
2007: Quarter-finals
2011: Third place
2015: Runners-up
2019: Quarter-finals
Carter Gordon. With Quade Cooper one of the household names, along with co-captain Michael Hooper, ruthlessly axed from Jones' World Cup squad, much rests on the shoulders of fly-half Gordon.
Having only made his debut off the bench in Australia's opening Rugby Championship loss to South Africa in July, Gordon - who has just four caps to his name - now finds himself at a World Cup in which he is his country's only recognised 10. Eddie Jones has bet the house on the 22-year-old's ability to steer the ship.
Eddie Jones. In a mid-August media briefing, Eddie Jones chastised Australia's press pack for what he perceived as negative coverage of his team, signing off by branding the occasion "the worst press conference I have ever had in world rugby". A cynic may point out that there is not much of late for Australia's rugby fraternity to feel entirely positive about, with the side having lost all of their matches since Jones' return in January.
It is a record that has naturally fed an 'us against the world' mentality which Jones appears to enjoy, and he has serious World Cup pedigree having guided Australia to the final in 2003, and England to the showpiece in 2019. The cards appear stacked against the Wallabies this time around, but their head coach won't mind that one bit.
Forwards (18): Angus Bell, Pone Fa'amausili, Zane Nonggorr, Blake Schoupp, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, David Porecki, Jordan Uelese, Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Matt Philip, Will Skelton (captain), Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini.
Backs (15): Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Tate McDermott, Nic White, Carter Gordon, Lalakai Foketi, Samu Kerevi, Izaia Perese, Jordan Petaia, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Suliasi Vunivalu, Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny.
1987: Quarter-finals
1991: Pool stages
1995: Did not qualify
1999: Quarter-final play-offs
2003: Pool stage
2007: Quarter-finals
2011: Pool stage
2015: Pool stage
2019: Pool stage
Semi Radradra. Since switching codes a year before the last Rugby World Cup, Radradra has established himself as an attacking force of nature.
Although Fiji lacked defensive stability at Japan in 2019, they still provided some electric moments in attack with Radradra at the heart of some wonderful, off-the-cuff moves. The back has signed off at Bristol after three years, and will take his talents to Lyon after the World Cup.
Simon Raiwalui. A familiar face to some Wales fans due to the time he spent with Newport during his playing career, Raiwalui only became Fiji head coach in February.
The signs, early though they are, are promising. Raiwalui led Fiji to a Pacific Nations Cup clean sweep, where they picked up a bonus point in each of their three games. He has however been dealt a considerable blow just days before the tournament with influential fly-half Caleb Muntz ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.
Forwards (18): Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Doge, Luke Tagi, Samu Tawake, Tevita Ikanivere, Sam Matavesi, Zuriel Togiatama, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Albert Tuisue, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Levani Botia, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi, Viliame Mata.
Backs (14): Frank Lomani, Simi Kuruvoli, Peni Matawalu, Teti Tela, Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Waisea Nayacalevu, Iosefo Masi, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Vinaya Habosi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Sireli Maqala, Ilaisa Droasese.
1987: NA
1991: NA
1995: Did not qualify
1999: Did not qualify
2003: Pool stage
2007: Pool stage
2011: Pool stage
2015: Pool stage
2019: Pool stage
Akaki Tabutsadze. The country's all-time leading try-scorer (29) at just 26, Tabutsadze led the scoring charts in the last two editions of the Rugby Europe Championship with six and eight scores respectively as Georgia claimed back-to-back titles.
Levan Maisashvili. If Georgia find themselves in need of inspiration at any point during the World Cup, they need look no further than their head coach. In 2021, Maisashvili was taken to hospital in South Africa, where he was placed on a ventilator and given a one per cent chance of survival due to severe lung damage caused by Covid-19.
Since his remarkable recovery, Maisashvili has taken Georgia to new heights. The scalps of Six Nations sides Italy and Wales have raised expectations, and Georgia are no longer dark horses, but an out-and-out threat to tier-one teams.
Forwards (19): Nika Abuladze, Beka Gigashvili, Guram Gogichashvili, Luka Japaridze, Mikheil Nariashvili, Guram Papidze, Shalva Mamukashvili, Luka Nioradze, Tengiz Zamtaradze, Vladimer Chachanidze, Nodar Cheishvili, Lasha Jaiani, Konstantine Mikautadze, Mikheil Gachechiladze, Beka Gorgadze, Luka Ivanishvili, Tornike Jalagonia, Beka Saginadze, Giorgi Tsutskiridze.
Backs (14): Gela Aprasidze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Tengiz Peranidze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Luka Matkava, Demur Tapladze, Aleksandre Todua, Merab Sharikadze, Tornike Kakhoidze, Modebadze Mirian, Akaki Tabutsadze, Davit Niniashvili, Lasha Khmaladze, Giorgi Kveseladze.
1987: NA
1991: Did not qualify
1995: Did not qualify
1999: Did not qualify
2003: Did not qualify
2007: Pool stage
2011: Did not qualify
2015: Did not qualify
2019: Did not qualify
Raffaele Storti. With 17 international tries, Stortie is his side's most potent attacking threat.
He crossed the whitewash three times in as many games during the decisive Final Qualification Tournament, including Portugal's only try in the draw against the USA which secured World Cup qualification, sealed with the final kick of the game from nerveless fly-half Samuel Marques.
Patrice Lagisquet. He might be coaching in his first World Cup, but Lagisquet goes way back with the competition.
As a player, the 'Bayonne Express' scored four tries for France as they made it all the way to the final of the inaugural tournament in 1987.
While a final is far outside realistic expectations for Os Lobos, a win in the group stage would see them break new ground.
Forwards (19): António Machado Santos, David Costa, Diogo Hasse Ferreira, Francisco Fernandes, Francisco Bruno, Anthony Alves, Duarte Diniz, Lionel Campergue, Mike Tadjer, Duarte Torgal, José Madeira, José Maria Rebelo Andrade, Steevy Cerqueira, Martim Belo, Nicolas Martins, Rafael Simões, João Granate, Thibault de Freitas, David Wallis.
Backs (14): João Belo, Pedro Lucas, Samuel Marques, Jerónimo Portela, Joris Moura, José Lima, Tomás Appleton, Pedro Bettencourt, Rodrigo Marta, Vincent Pinto, Manuel Cardoso Pinto, Raffaele Storti, Nuno Sousa Guedes, Simão Bento.
