The International Rugby Board (IRB) regards Wales as a Tier One rugby nation and rightly so as they have had phenomenal success over the past few decades, in particular during the 1970s which is considered as Wales’ heyday. By 1979, Wales had won the Five Nations title five times, done the Grand Slam three times, picked up five Triple Crowns and beaten Australia twice.
In total, Wales have since won the Six Nations 23 times, the last being in 2005 however; their best result was during the 1987 Rugby World Cup when they came third. They have also become the first team ever to win the Grand Slam while playing more matches away than at home.
Wales are strong contenders for the 2007 World Cup which will see them grouped in Pool B with Canada, Fiji, Japan and Australia.