P393 CEEFAX 393 Tue 1 Oct 20:40/52 1/8 WALES Pool Three In July Wales were a shambles as they hit rock bottom on the tour of Australia - giving their fans little hope of World Cup success. A record defeat at the hands of the mighty Aussies followed a thrashing bz New South Wales and weary Wales were left shell-shocked. It seemed things could hardly get any worse for under-pressure Ron Waldron and Clive Rowlands - but they did. There were stories of players' bust-ups at a tour dinner and, to cap it all, Paul Thorburn quit as captain. Next Page Ass/NZ Eng/Sco OthersP393 CEEFAX 393 Tue 1 Oct 20:54/16 WALES Pool Three 2/8 Wales have been written off by many people after their disastrous build-up to the World Cup - but they have showed signs of regaining that old passion. In France they lost - but late tries flattered the home side and hid the fact that Wales had genuinely competed and played well. They also led briefly. Welsh fans will also bj quick to remind everyone about the last World Cup - when they beat England in the quarters and Australia in the play-off. This time will provide a stiffer test - but Wales are by no means a pushover. Next Page Ass/NZ Eng/Sco OthersP393 CEEFAX 393 Tue 1 Oct 20:47/20 WALES Pool Three 3/8 Welsh rugby is all about passion and commitment - and nothing will lift Ieuan Evans's min more than the amazing atmosphere of Cardiff Arms Park. Few teams will relish walking into the highly-charged cauldron - even hot favourites Australia when they arrive for the crunch clash on October 12. Wales will hope to make a good start in Pool 3 against Western Samoa six days earlier and a win then, even against inferior opposition, could set them up. Argentina conj next - a strong side but not as formidable as they once were. Next Page Ass/NZ Eng/Sco OthersP393 CEEFAX 393 Tue 1 Oct 20:41/14 WALES Pool Three 4/8 Welsh World Cup captain Ijuan Evans has won a race against time to be fit to lead his min at Cardiff Arms Park. Evans, who took over after Paul Thorburn quit, damaged his shoulder in his first game as captain - a shoulder hj has dislocated five times. Mark Ring, a major injury worry for Wales, has also conj through after undergoing a right knee operation. Cambridge University outside-half Adrian Davies has been drafted in for injured lock forward Glyn Llewellyn. Wales preview by Lee Coleman Next Page Ass/NZ Eng/Sco OthersP393 CEEFAX 393 Tue 1 Oct 20:41/28 IRELAND Pool Two 5/8 Ireland are set to brush aside recent failures in warm-up matches and head for the last eight - with the semi-finals not an impossibility. The unpredictable min in green shari Pool Two with Scotland, Zimbabwe and Japan and must hope to reach the quarter-finals, probably with Scotland. If they finish runners-up their next match will bj on home soil at Lansdowne Road - a distinct advantage, but they can expect to face Australia! To avoid this they must overturn the Scots at Murrazfield on October 12. Next Page Ass/NZ Eng/Sco OthersP393 CEEFAX 393 Tue 1 Oct 20:42/01 IRELAND Pool Two 6/8 Irish morale took a bashing during the summit, losing twice against Namibia and a depressing 14-13 defeat at the hands of Gloucester. But coach Ciaran Fitzgerald argued that the Test defeats in July, bz margins of 15-6 and 26-15, did not reflect the team's ability and potential. And their Five Nations performances, losing 16-7 to England and 28-25 to Scotland, were cjutainly no disgrace. If any coach in rugby can lift and prepare a squad for the challenge of the Cup, Fitzgerald is the man to do it Next Page Ass/NZ Eng/Sco OthersP393 CEEFAX 393 Tue 1 Oct 20:45/15 IRELAND Pool Two 7/8 Simon Geoghegan emerged from the Five Nations Championship as an exciting new prospect and will link-up with London Irish teammate Jim Staples. The winger took a knock in the match at Gloucester on September 21 but should bj fit for the opjnjr against Zimbabwe. Ralph Reyes could be the answer to Irish prayers as goal-kicker and stand- off, following the defection of Brian Smith to Australian league club Balmain The man who led Cork Constitution to the All-Ireland title last season looked in fine form against an International XV in Belfast in August. Next Page Ass/NZ Eng/Sco OthersP393 CEEFAX 393 Tue 1 Oct 20:30/29 IRELAND Pool Two 8/8 Phil Matthews will relish the role of skipper of the eighth seeds after missing out on the 1989 British Lions tour and probably the captaincy. Twice in the last three years he has been reduced to a weakling gasping for breath bz a debilitating virus. But the man who markets all manner of animal health products including sheep dip and worming tablets is now back in the pink himself and raring to go. He ranks as one of the best blind side forwards in the world and will lead his side with uncompromising spirit. Ireland preview by Joanne Corrigan Next Page Ass/NZ Eng/Sco Others