Wales RWC Hopefuls New Zealand 2011

Since finishing third in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, Wales have failed to emulate that success. As host nation in 1999 Wales reached the Quarter-Finals ensuring automatic qualification for the 2003 competition. They lost out in 2003 to eventual winners England 28-17 after a tense contest which they led for some time.Hence automatic qualification for France 2007. France 2007 and having been the top six nations team it all went wrong as they lost to Australia 20-32 and Fiji 34-38 in pool 'B', finishing third. The good news was that this finish gave them automatic qualification to New Zealand 2011.

Wales have new shirts in time for the World Cup in France. Although they have stayed true to the previous colour red. The shirt also features the slim fit style and special attributes to help specific player positions. The shirt manufactured by Reebok has a T shirt style neck, it can be seen and purchased through the Welsh Shirts page.

Will The Red Dragon Fire In Pool 'D'

Wales will expect to escape Pool D, where they face South Africa, Fiji, Samoa and Namibia, winning the pool though could well be too much of a task for them and expect them to lose to South Africa with the Fiji game being the decider for 2nd spot, we expect them to win a close fought contest.

Currently ranked eighth in the world Wales desperately want to repeat the heights of the 1987 tournament, but the bookies don't fancy their chances. We agree with this and see them falling short and being knocked out in the quarter finals.

Wales News

All Blacks continue winning streak - New Zealand 29-10 Wales - New Zealand stretched their winning run over Wales to 23 games in 57 years with a hard-fought error strewn win in the second Test at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

New Zealand Thump Wales - New Zealand 42-9 Wales - The Dan Carter show destroyed Wales and was a fitting final test at Carisbrook in Dunedin

Wales outgunned by Springboks - Wales 31-34 South Africa - Wales slipped off the pace having led 16-3 in the first half through Two Stephen Jones penalties and a James Hook drop-goal before centre Hook intercepted a loose John Smit pass

Wales squad for June and tour - Warren Gatland has named his squad for the match against South Africa in Cardiff on 5 June and the two-Test New Zealand tour

Wales put Italy to the Hook - Wales 33-10 Italy - Wales gave the home supporters something to cheer as they ended a disappointing Six Nations with a comfortable win over Italy