Wales 8/9 to run riot in World Cup opener

Uruguay first five Felipe Berchesi is relishing the once-in-a-lifetime experience of playing Wales in his team’s opening Rugby World Cup match in Cardiff on Monday morning.

Wales have featured in every tournament since it began back in 1987, but have never managed to progress past the semi-finals.

Wales open their campaign against Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, two days after England and Fiji kick off the tournament at Twickenham.

“I am a great believer in being positive and not dwelling on the disappointment of losing players”, said the Wales coach, who is also without Rhys Webb, the influential scrum-half. We want to attract more people to the games and to play, and you’ve got to stamp down on foul play, and I wholeheartedly agree with that.

“If you look at the back line in Anthony Watson and Jonny May, while Jonathan Joseph is probably in the top three number 13s in the world at the moment, I would say, and was the top try-scorer in the last Six Nations, we are fully aware of the threat that is coming our way”.

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While diving is not widespread in the sport, there have been some notable examples in recent seasons, with Bryan Habana and Yoann Huget both apologising after they were caught feigning injury in European games. It’s big, but then any World Cup is big.

Jake Ball and Luke Charteris pack down in the second-row whilst there is a new look back row with captain Sam Warburton starting at blindside flanker alongside Justin Tipuric and James King at No.8.

Wales hoped of World Cup glory have been rocked by injuries with Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny ruled out while doubts remain over the fitness of lock Alun Wyn Jones, back Liam Williams and prop Samson Lee.

Gatland believes this will be the most keenly contested Rugby World Cup yet.

Gatland does not share the opinion that the group will be decided on points difference.

Uruguay are 13/2 to score the first points of the match and 10/11 to win in Cardiff with a 68-point start on the handicap. We know what a great competitor he is.

But the Wales skipper said his sending off for a tip tackle on Vincent Clerc just 20 minutes into that Auckland clash will not affect the way he challenges in this year s World Cup.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if there is an upset in the group”.