Following their fourth place finish in 2011, Wales had an excellent 2012 and 2013 picking up the grand slam in 2012 and six nations title in both years. However as Wales have put in inconsistent performances from 2013, they go in as the dark horses of the World cup with an advantage of a few home games.
Leadership
Captain: Sam Warburton
Senior Players: Gethin Jenkins, Alun Wyn-Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North
Coaches: Warren Gatland (head), Shaun Edwards (defense), Rob Howley (backs), Robin McBryde (forwards)
The Welsh have an excellent blend of experience and youth within their squad with a number of players with over 50 test caps and 10 players from the 2013 Lions squad. The most experienced player in the Welsh squad is veteran front rower Gethin Jenkins with 116 caps. Lock forward Alun Wyn-Jones and center Jamie Roberts also brings in loads of experience with 90 and 70 caps respectively.
Head coach Warren Gatland has been in charge of the Red Dragons since November 2007 and has led them to three Six Nations titles including two Grand-Slams. Gatland’s team also finished 4th in Rugby World cup in New Zealand, a feat he would hope to improve on in 2015. He was appointed as the Lions Coach in 2013 where he led them to a series win over the Wallabies in Australia.
Official Squad
Props: Gethin Jenkins, Tomas Francis, Paul James, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee
Hookers: Scott Baldwin, Ken Owens
Locks: Alun Wyn-Jones, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Jake Ball, Dominic Day
Back Row: Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, James King
Half Backs: Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb, Lloyd Williams
First fives: Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland
Centers: Cory Allen, Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams
Outside backs: Hallen Amos, Alex Cuthbert, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, and Mathew Morgan
Missing out
Unfortunately for Wales Mathew Rees and Jonathon Davies both miss out on selection along with Mike Phillips. The 63 capped Hooker, Rees has not featured for the Dragons since being diagnosed with cancer in 2013. Although he did make it back to match fitness in early 2015, he did not do enough to earn a spot in the squad. Jonathon Davies also had to pull out of World cup contention after rupturing ligaments in his knee in July. The veteran half back also misses out on selection to the younger half backs.
Wales injury woes were augmented last weekend when first choice half back Rhys Webb twisted his leg in their final warm up game against Italy. In addition to Webb, superstar full back Leigh Halfpenny also aggravated an existing knee injury in the warm up game.
Key Players
Dan Biggar: Biggar will most likely be the first choice five eighth for the Dragons and will be responsible for controlling the entire Welsh attack. In order for Wales to perform at their best, Biggar will have tug on all the right strings. His tactical kicking will also contribute a lot to Wales’ strategies. Biggar will also have to take over the place kicking duties in the event Halfpenny is not on the field.
Justin Tipuric: With three open-side flankers in the squad Tipuric will likely don the number 7 jersey. His work rate in both defense in and around the breakdowns earns Wales a number of turn overs. He is also a powerful defender when he joins in the back line in mid field and out wide to shut down overlaps. Tipuric’s massive hits makes him perhaps one of the most lethal tacklers in game today.
Sam Warburton: Although Warburton is predominately an open-side flanker it is likely he may shift to the blind side whilst Tipuric and Lydiate will rotate the open side berth. Warburton is also an exceptional player around the breakdown and will make Wales one of the strongest defensive sides in the tournament. Warburton also adds power to the Welsh attacking game whilst leading from the front.
Jamie Roberts: Jamie Roberts is the Dragons most experienced back line player and will be the man they turn to in order to carry the ball in center-field. His powerful and direct runs up the middle will be key to drawing in defenders in order to create space for the likes of North and Cuthbert. Roberts is also Wales’ most important back line player in terms of defense. He will be counted on to make the big hits and stop opponent’s big runners in their tracks.
Team Strengths
Powerhouse Backline: The Welsh have one of the most athletic back lines in modern rugby. The Dragons can field a side with both their centers and wingers stand at over 6ft and weigh in, over 100kg. But what makes this back-line so potent is their skills with the ball as well as their control over the game. The likes of Roberts, Cuthbert, North and Williams are excellent runner swith the ball in hand and make an intimidating sight when lined up to attack.
Set Pieces: Wales’ tight five have an exceptional record when it comes to set pieces, their scrums are rock solid in both attack and defense whilst their lineouts are one of their greatest strengths. The likes of Davies, Jones and Charteris bring loads of experience to the lineouts and their 10/12 man lineout close to the goal line has been almost unstoppable in recent years.
Breakdowns: With three top tier open-side flankers in the squad, Wales will without a doubt be dominant around the tackle area. Their third row is renowned for its powerful tackling whilst forcing turnovers in the rucks. In addition to their third row, the bigger backs give them a clear advantage when it comes to ball retention at the breakdown.
High Ball: Even with Halfpenny missing out the likes of Williams, North and Cuthbert are all dominant outside backs, especially under the high ball. Their height advantage coupled with their skills in the air make it very difficult for opponents to plan a kicking game. Add the powerful counter attacking to their arsenal and Wales becomes one of the toughest teams to kick to.
Fixtures
Sep 20th Wales vs Uruguay (Cardiff)
Sep 26th England vs Wales (Twickenham)
Oct 1st Wales vs Fiji (Cardiff)
Oct 10th Australia vs Wales (Twickenham)
Wales has the misfortune of falling into the group of death along with England, Australia and Fiji, all of whom will be battling for just 2 quarter final slots. Wales do have the advantage of playing two of their games at the millennium stadium in Cardiff but will have to face England and the Wallabies in London.
