2019 Summer Test Series

Wales #1 In The World? Could Happen Sunday

Wales #1 In The World? Could Happen Sunday

Wales can be #1 in the World Rugby Rankings if they beat or tie England.

Aug 10, 2019 by Alex Goff
Aus Over NZ: Cheika And Hooper Comment

Which team is the #1 national team in the world? After Sunday, the answer might be different than it is now.

Wales has a chance to be #1 after New Zealand’s shock loss to Australia on Saturday.

US Subscribers can see England vs Wales LIVE from Twickenham at 9AM ET Sunday, August 11

The All Blacks went into the game against their rivals ranked #1 with 91.54 rankings points. Australi was ranked 8th. But that was all just on paper. Shocking everyone, the Wallabies scored 47 points to beat New Zealand 47-26. The All Blacks have never given up as many as 47 points before.

With the loss, New Zealand dropped to 89.87 points, and opened the door for the Welsh.

Wales meets England at 9AM Eastern Time LIVE on FloRugby for US Subscribers. If Wales wins, or even ties, England, they go #1 in the world.



Wales enters Sunday's game at 89.96, meaning a draw, and no change in points, is enough for #1. 

Wales coach Warren Gatland has named a vastly experienced team for the trip to London with one test centurion and five other players with 50 caps or more to their name included in a starting line-up boasting 676 caps between them.

Top of the list is captain Alun Wyn Jones who plays in his 127th test for Wales—only two short of the national team record held by Gethin Jenkins —and 135th in total including the British and Irish Lions. Adam Beard packs down beside him in the second-row.

Nicky Smith, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis make up the front-row, while the back-row consists of Dragons duo, blindside Aaron Wainwright and number eight Ross Moriarty and Ospreys openside Justin Tipuric. 

Gareth Anscombe starts at fly-half, partnering Gareth Davies at half-back, with Dan Biggar providing cover on the bench. Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies unite in midfield and Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams provide the back-three threats in a backline unchanged from their Six Nations Grand Slam clincher.

Watch Live in the USA on FloRugby