Rugby World Cup breaking news live as England play Australia and Ireland take on New Zealand in huge quarter finals


Rugby World Cup breaking news live as England play Australia and Ireland take on New Zealand in huge quarter finals

Justin Tipuric: Fully fit and experienced Wales better prepared than 2015

Justin Tipuric will lead Wales against Uruguay (Image: PA)

Four years ago, an injury hit Wales exited the Rugby World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

It was heartbreak for Wales as South Africa’s Fourie du Preez scuttled over in the closing stages to send the men in red packing.

But Warren Gatland’s current crop are different, according to flanker Justin Tipuric, who came off the bench that day at Twickenham but will start against France in Oita on Sunday.

“It is different and going undefeated as well helps building that confidence, and to be able to pick from a fully fit squad is another positive,” said Tipuric.

“Boys want to get out on the training paddock and put things right and get ready for the game on the weekend.”

“It’s been quite relaxed in camp to be honest. Everyone is excited and looking forward to playing in a quarter final of the World Cup and just want to get out there and perform on the big stage.”

He added: “If you’ve been there before and you’ve learnt from those experiences it is going to help in big games, and big players normally make a difference in those games.

“You don’t want to lose any game, but unfortunately in rugby there are lots of ups and downs in your career. 2015 was one of those frustrating times when we lost that quarter-final with South Africa.

“The boys have to learn from that and we don’t want to feel disappointment like that again.

“Fingers crossed it won’t happen again.”

Four years ago, an injury hit Wales exited the Rugby World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

It was heartbreak for Wales as South Africa’s Fourie du Preez scuttled over in the closing stages to send the men in red packing.

But Warren Gatland’s current crop are different, according to flanker Justin Tipuric, who came off the bench that day at Twickenham but will start against France in Oita on Sunday.

“It is different and going undefeated as well helps building that confidence, and to be able to pick from a fully fit squad is another positive,” said Tipuric.

“Boys want to get out on the training paddock and put things right and get ready for the game on the weekend.”

“It’s been quite relaxed in camp to be honest. Everyone is excited and looking forward to playing in a quarter final of the World Cup and just want to get out there and perform on the big stage.”

He added: “If you’ve been there before and you’ve learnt from those experiences it is going to help in big games, and big players normally make a difference in those games.

“You don’t want to lose any game, but unfortunately in rugby there are lots of ups and downs in your career. 2015 was one of those frustrating times when we lost that quarter-final with South Africa.

“The boys have to learn from that and we don’t want to feel disappointment like that again.

“Fingers crossed it won’t happen again.”




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