Alex King has underlined the importance of Wales boss Warren Gatland’s presence and proven track record heading into Sunday’s Rugby World Cup clash against Australia. Wales are heading towards a fourth successive World Cup quarter-final appearance under Gatland, and will be odds-on to win Pool C if they topple the Wallabies.

Taulupe Faletau has highlighted Wales’ sense of belief and confidence as they close in on a fourth successive Rugby World Cup quarter-final appearance. Australia’s defeat against Fiji means that Wales are four points clear at the top of Pool C.

Not for the first time in his life, Eddie Jones is thinking about Wales. The Australia coach is facing one of the most important matches of his career – and one that could define his legacy in his homeland – as he plots a way back for the Wallabies against Wales in Pool C of the World Cup on Sunday.

Newport picked up their second bonus-point win of the season as they headed north to beat RGC 41-25 after sitting out round two in the Indigo Premiership. But the Black & Ambers had to do it the hard way after they found themselves for long periods in the second half.

Wales are suddenly facing a likely do-or-die World Cup showdown against Australia after Fiji’s stunning victory over the Wallabies blew Pool C wide open. The result in Saint-Etienne – a thrilling 22-15 victory for the Fijians – was the worst possible outcome for Wales, with Fiji picking up four points and the Aussies gaining a priceless bonus point.

Wales assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys insists his team are heading in the right direction ahead of their World Cup showdown with Australia. Former Wales wing Shane Williams claimed the 28-8 Pool C victory over Portugal showed Wales had “no direction, no cohesion” after they only claimed a bonus point late on. “It was good to see Gareth Anscombe back at fly-half, but he chipped over the top a couple of times. Really? We needed to do more with the ball in hand, but we couldn’t get on the front foot,” was the assessment of the ITV pundit.

Wales’ starting line-up against Portugal on Saturday is littered with players who could provide foundation stones for teams way beyond the current World Cup. Exeter locks Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza are just 20 and 21, centre Mason Grady is 21, wing Louis Rees-Zammit 22 and captain Dewi Lake only 24, highlighting a rich seam of young talent available to head coach Warren Gatland.

Warren Gatland wants Wales to be “hard to beat” and they should certainly prove too hard for Portugal on Saturday. At least there was no mourning the morning after the night before against Fiji in the opening game.

Christ Tshiunza admits he is “living a dream” as he prepares to make his Rugby World Cup debut for Wales. Tshiunza’s journey has taken him from his birthplace – Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – to Exeter Chiefs, via Whitchurch High School in Cardiff after he and his family left a country rife with civil war 13 years ago.

Louis Rees-Zammit has underlined Wales’ “game by game mentality” as they target a second successive Rugby World Cup victory that would strengthen their quarter-final ambitions. Wales, fresh from a thrilling bonus-point victory over Fiji, tackle Pool C minnows Portugal on Saturday.

Former Wales international Dan Baker, who featured for Aberavon RFC last season, has returned to where it all started with a switch to Ystradgynlais RFC. Turn back the clock a long way and there were suggestions the No. 8 would become a Test regular with his outstanding ball-carrying.

Will Rowlands played down his defensive heroics in Wales’ thrilling Rugby World Cup victory over Fiji, claiming “I just see it as me doing my job”. Wales made a World Cup record of 253 tackles in the game, which they won 32-26, and lock Rowlands was at the heart it.

Scrum half Joe Williams came off the bench to help himself to a second half try hat-trick as Cardiff beat RGC 35-17 at the Arms Park in the Indigo Premiership. It was 14-3 to the Blue & Blacks at the break before Williams popped up to secure the bonus-point win. Prop Freddie Barnes opened the scoring with a close-range effort before Wales U20 outside half Harrison James hit a hat-trick of penalties.

Jonathan Humphreys insists the pressure is not off Wales after a thrilling victory over Fiji increased hopes of a fourth successive Rugby World Cup quarter-final appearance. Wales’ 32-26 success came after they repelled a ferocious Fiji fightback that saw them score two tries during the last seven minutes.

Warren Gatland reflected on a “pretty significant” victory for his team after Wales brought the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals within sight by beating Fiji 32-26 at Stade de Bordeaux. Wales held their nerve in a frantic and pulsating Pool C clash. It was tense throughout, especially when Fiji scored twice in the last seven minutes and centre Semi Radradra knocked on close to the line in the game’s last play.

Jac Morgan will captain Wales on his World Cup debut against Fiji on Sunday – and looks certain to continue the comparisons being made with Sam Warburton. Like Warburton in 2011, Morgan is a player in his early 20s leading his country into a tournament where few fancy them to do all that well.

Neath will host their first Indigo Premiership match at The Gnoll for four years when they welcome Carmarthen Quins on Saturday. Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Welsh All Blacks were the most feared team in Wales, but they slipped into the third tier – the WRU Championship – in 2019.

There is plenty of doom and gloom in Welsh rugby ahead of the Rugby World Cup kicking off in France. But why? This campaign could easily equal Wales’s best ever finish!

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been passed fit to play as coach Warren Gatland named an experienced side to face Fiji in their Rugby World Cup Pool C opener in Bordeaux on Sunday. Faletau, who did not feature in any warm-up fixtures, forms the back row with captain Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright.

When it comes to the Rugby World Cup, nobody knows it better than Warren Gatland. The Wales head coach has plenty to look forward to next month, with his 60th birthday to celebrate as well as a fifth trip to rugby’s showpiece event.