Welsh dragon roars again
Wales have rediscovered some of their illustrious past and the ambition of reaching the semi-finals, as in 1987.
The 2003 Rugby World Cup marked a turning point for Welsh rugby. In two defeats, against New Zealand in a pool match and against England in the quarter-finals, Wales produced some flowing rugby which caught everyone’s imagination. In the slipstream of a talented new generation, spearheaded by Gavin Henson and Shane Williams, Wales began to dream again. First of a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 1978. Achieved in 2005.
Now of a Rugby World Cup semi-final, 20 years after losing to eventual champions New Zealand. The answer to that will come in 2007. But for the most part the Dragons have rarely roared when confronted with the World Cup challenge. They failed to get beyond the pool stages of both the 1991 and 1995 tournaments and as hosts in 1999 suffered an embarrassing Pool defeat to Samoa before going out to eventual champions Australia in the quarter-finals. But Welsh fans are confident the Millennium Stadium, which will host three matches in 2007, will once again be as welcoming as a Dragon’s lair.
Colours: |
Red jersey, white shirts, red socks |
Emblem: |
The leek and the Red Dragon |
National anthem: |
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers) |
Fans anthem: |
Cwm Rhondda |
IRB world ranking (2006/07): |
9th |
Rugby World Cup record: |
Semi-finalists 1987 Quarter-finalists1999, 2003 Eliminated pool stage 1991, 1995
Scored 523 points, conceded 454 |
Head coach: |
Gareth Jenkins |
Squad Member List: |
Huw Bennett, Gareth Cooper, Ian Gough, Chris Horseman, Will James, Duncan Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones, Stephen Jones, Michael Owen, Dwayne Peel, Alix Popham, James Peter (Jamie) Robinson, Ceri Sweeney, Jonathan Thomas, Colin Charvis, Iam Evans, James Williams Hook, Dafydd James, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Rhys Jones, Mark (Wales) Jones, Kevin Morgan, Sonny Parker, Michael Phillips, Matthew Rees, Tom Skanklin, Gereth Thomas, Thomas Rhys Thomas |
NUM8ER