Carter targets final swansong

Recalling the fateful incident at the Millennium Stadium which led to his withdrawal from the World Cup and plunged Welsh rugby into a state of grief, Halfpenny said: ‘I remember seeing the Italian outside-half chipping the ball over the line and I have gone for it.

With a potential points-fest against Group A whipping boys Uruguay on the cards in the tournament opener, the winger is confident of rediscovering his best form. We’re only looking ahead rather than at what is behind us.

“We’re quite relaxed. I trust the security we have got is more than adequate”.

“Here’s a chance for us to find something which a large percentage of the population [is] interested in”, he said. England is not taking Fiji lightly and has a strategy in place. It will be the first time the two nations have met at full Test level.

“It wasn’t our choice to do that (put up the screens). They are big and powerful and we have to be disciplined”.

Gatland added that the showing by the northern hemisphere teams against their southern hemisphere counterparts in last season’s autumn series, allied by some expansive rugby in the Six Nations was “a real positive”.

“You have to counteract certain aspects of teams attacking strengths”.

“We haven’t spoken about any points score”. I play alongside Alun Wyn Jones at the Ospreys and I know the regard he holds O’Connell in, I think that says everything.

“I was proved right because there was a try disallowed the next day”. Coupled with the fact that their Pool consists of France, Italy, Canada and Romania, they could easily have a soft route to the semi-finals.

Carter played two pool games in the competition four years ago but was then ruled out of the remaining matches because of a groin problem.

In 2011 Canada surprised themselves by beating Tonga and tying with Japan, yet they ultimately left the tournament after the first round with just six points.

Edwards praised the performance of Wales flanker Dan Lydiate in last month’s 16-10 warm-up win over Ireland in Dublin.

“I don’t think about it massively”, he said of his meteoric rise.

“Being on TV will be really cool and I’m very excited”.

“It’s not just an incredible experience, it’s great fun, a great bunch of lads, brilliant staff, even the set up we have in Carton House is out of this world”.