World Cup fever is now setting in

MY family and I are now getting really excited about the start of the World Cup at the end of this month.

A combination of the stunning Grand Slam achieved by the boys against all the odds in the Six Nations, and the unprecedented strength of the current squad that saw legends like Scott Williams, Rob Evans and Samson Lee omitted, (albeit all three have struggled with injuries) suggest we have as good a chance as anyone of finally lifting the Webb Ellis Cup and what a fairy-tale end to the Welsh coaching tenure of Gats and his classy lieutenants, Shaun, Rob and Robin that would be. My only regret is that we have to play so many competitive warm-up games before every World Cup.

I think we all know the real purpose of these games is to generate more revenue for the respective unions which in the professional era is a necessary evil.

The cost, however, is always high, both in injuries to key players such as Grand Slam hero Gareth Anscombe, and the loss of psychological advantage through losing first to England and then Ireland, after so convincingly seeing both off at the Principality Stadium in the Six Nations.

Additionally, we ended the Six Nations as not just Grand Slam winners but also on a record unbeaten run for Welsh rugby that had seen us go 14 matches and more than a year without losing while beating every major competitor except the All Blacks during that incredible period. That aura has now vanished.

I’m confident that the wining mojo of that 14-match stretch that led to the magical 12th Grand Slam in March can be reignited with the inspirational leaderships of Gats and Alun Wyn, with the latter holding the holy grail of trophies (everyone Welsh has been dreaming of ) aloft on Saturday, November 2, in Yokohama. Good luck, boys. Every Welsh man and woman throughout the world will be willing you on.

R Terry James Brentwood, Essex