The surprise package of the tournament, Wales were never even expected to be in the tournament but find themselves facing the biggest international teams courtesy of a 12-11 victory over expected participants France in the 2010 European Cup final.
Qualification in itself is a major coup for the Welsh side, who have suffered the indignity of having their only Super League license (Crusaders Rugby League) stripped from them earlier in the year.
Captained by Warrington Wolves favourite Lee Briers, the Welsh will struggle to keep the scores respectable against their opposition.
While the majority of their starting 13 are fully-fledged professionals, many of their fringe players are semi-professional, and lack big game experience against top-level opposition.
Ranked 7th in the world, Wales have won back-to-back European Championships, and won six of their last seven games.
Despite this, the gulf between the top three teams is such that the last time they played against England, they were defeated 48-12.
Another challenge faced by the Welsh are the training conditions prior to the tournament.
Training in two separate camps due to fringe members of the squad being semi-professional, the Welsh have also had to deal with several Australian-based players being unable to join the squad until mid-October.
With the bulk of the players based in south Wales, head coach Iestyn Harris (and current Wigan assistant) was taking control of them, and sending updates, statistical plans and regimes to players based in Wrexham and Australia.
This troubled build up, necessary though it may be due to work commitments of the second division players, will nonetheless make the tournament an already difficult affair.
Despite this, they thrashed Ireland 30-6 in a warm up match, playing well and dictating play.
Despite the absence of France for the tournament, the opportunity to play against the world best will be a great experience for the Welsh team, with the Crusaders representatives moving on to several other Super League clubs after the collapse of Crusaders.
Dangerman
Without a question, halfback/five-eighth Lee Briers is the best player Wales has to offer. The third highest point scorer in Welsh history with 98 points in 20 appearances, and was ranked 94th on the Rugby League Weeks Top 100 Players.
If Wales are going to gain anything from this tournament, it will be off the back of Briers experience in leading his team around the park.
An excellent kicker and a drop goal specialist,he once kicked a record five in the same match against Halifax.
He has scored 2,143 points in his club career (almost entirely with Warrington) and recently capped off his stellar career with a Challenge Cup Final win.
Outstanding all round offensive player who has struggled with issues off the field in the past, but have put them behind him in the twilight of his career.
Andrew Johns has described him as one of the best playmakers in the world on numerous occasions.
Chances
Damage limitation will be the main aim for the Welsh at this tournament, who have failed to defeat any of the other teams at the tournament since England in 1995.
Squad
Chris Beasley (Central Comets – Australia)
Andy Bracek (Crusaders)
Lee Briers (Warrington Wolves)
Neil Budworth (MacKay Cutters – Australia)
Ross Divorty (Featherstone Rovers)
Gil Dudson (Crusaders)
Ben Flower (Crusaders)
Tyson Frizell (Cronulla Sharks – Australia)
Andrew Gay (South Wales Scorpions)
Aled James (South Wales Scorpions)
Jordan James (Crusaders)
Danny Jones (Halifax)
Craig Kopzcak (Bradford Bulls)
Elliot Kear (Crusaders)
Mark Lennon (Thirroul Butchers – Australia)
Peter Lupton (Crusaders)
Christiaan Roets (South Wales Scorpions)
Matt Seamark (Wynnum Manly Seagulls (Australia)
Gareth Thomas (Crusaders)
Ian Watson (Swinton Lions)
Ian Webster (Central Comets – Australia)
Lloyd White (Crusaders)
Lee Williams (Crusaders)
Rhys Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Matches
Round 1
12:30 AM AEDT Sunday October 30 against England at Leigh Sports Village, England – Fox Sports
Round 2
12:00 AM AEDT Sunday November 5 against New Zealand at Wembley, England – Fox Sports (Note: This is a double header)
Round 3
4:30AM AEDT Monday November 14 against Australia at Wrexham FC, Wales – Channel Nine
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
not sure. i saw him commentating on the sideliens in Wellington for Wales historic Quarter final win. he seemed pump. im sure he celebrated hard with some of the welsh lads. Perhaps he couldnt get himeself back up to get fit and play a few more league games. An end to a great career. though i have to say i did find it weird he went to RL, for two very hard turblulent years.
kovana
Guest
Why did Gareth Retire???
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Seems liek Alfie has retired. big loss.
Patrick Angel
Roar Guru
Definitely would mate. They aren't too shabby all the same, just don't have the player depth to take on England, New Zealand or Australia. Most of the Crusaders players have managed to snag gigs at other SL clubs which is good for the national side.
Patrick Angel
Roar Guru
Yeah mate sorry for that.
Matt S
Guest
Lets hope the Welsh are at least competitive. Its great to see the Welsh on TV all the same. One victory would be regarded as a huge success.
Burkie
Guest
No they did not have "their only Super League license (Crusaders Rugby League) stripped from them earlier in the year". The owners of the Crusaders declined to renew their license citing financial reasons.