Wales currently sits 11th in the world rugby rankings following a challenging season under Tandy. Despite recent victories, the team is focused on closing the competitive gap as they prepare for next year’s World Cup, where they face England, Tonga, and Zimbabwe in the group stages. The team finished their first season under Tandy with a record of three wins from 12 Tests, securing victories against Japan, Italy, and Fiji.
World Rugby Rankings and Pool C Proximity
Rankings and World Cup Pool C Dynamics
The international rugby landscape remains tightly packed, particularly within Pool C of the upcoming World Cup. Four of the five teams in the group—including Wales, Fiji, and Australia—are clustered together in the world rankings between eighth and 11th place. This proximity underscores the narrow margins defining the competition. Wales recently avoided dropping below one of their World Cup pool rivals, keeping Fiji behind them in the rankings following a weekend of international fixtures.
Wales narrowly avoided falling to their joint-lowest ranking of 10th following a 20-9 victory over England in Cardiff. That win proved critical, keeping them ahead of Fiji and just behind another Pool C rival, Australia. While France missed an opportunity to claim the top spot after a loss to Scotland, the victory for the Scottish side strengthened their hold on fifth, widening the gap between them and England to three points. Conversely, Japan dropped two places in the rankings following a heavy defeat to Fiji.
Jac Morgan Leads Squad Development Efforts
Jac Morgan on Squad Development
For the players, the focus remains on internal growth rather than the volatility of the ranking system. Flanker Jac Morgan, who is now officially a Gloucester player following his summer move from Ospreys, emphasized that the squad is prioritizing long-term improvement. Morgan, who served as captain for Tandy’s first game, views the recent season as a foundational period for the team.
The squad has developed, particularly with our performances against Scotland and Ireland during the Six Nations, and then the win over Italy,
said Morgan. “We were pleased with the victory over Fiji at the start of the summer as well because we know how difficult they are to beat. We just have to keep developing and we’ve been doing that as a squad. There are still plenty of lessons to learn, but the more we play together, the more experience we gain and the more we can improve.”
Morgan, who missed eight Tests while recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during Tandy’s first game, noted that the group is maintaining a high level of accountability. We're a very close group and everyone wants to get better,
Morgan stated. I'm proud of the effort they've put in, not just over these last three weeks but throughout the whole season. It's clear that everyone wants to learn, improve and continue developing together as a squad.
November Nations Championship Fixtures Schedule
The Path Toward the World Cup
The team’s recent record of three wins serves as the baseline for their progress. While the wins provide momentum, the coaching staff and players acknowledge that significant work remains. Morgan highlighted that the team is leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to bridge the gap between their current performance and the world’s top-tier nations.
Looking ahead, the schedule offers little respite. Wales is set to face four Nations Championship fixtures in November in Cardiff. The opposition includes Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, followed by a final fixture at Twickenham against another southern hemisphere opponent. These matches are viewed as essential tests to gauge the squad’s readiness for the intensity of the World Cup tournament.
