Area: 20,779 km2

Capital: Cardiff

Population: 3 million

World Cups played (3): 1975, 1995, 2000.

Wales is one of the longest standing teams in Rugby League history having played their first Test match against the famous New Zealand ‘All Golds’ touring side in 1908, where they defeated the tourists by a single point to notch their first ever Test match victory. However, the history of Welsh Rugby League arguably goes back even further to the first ever Test match, which was played in 1904 between England and Other Nationalities, of which 10 of the 12 man squad were of Welsh nationality.

Wales has a proven record in producing players of the highest calibre and three of their players have been honoured with a place in the Rugby League Hall of Fame. Those players are Billy Boston, Wigan’s all-time record try scorer with a magnificent record of 478 tries in 488 games, Jim Sullivan, all-time record appearance and points scored for Wigan and Gus Risman, who led minnows Workington Town to Challenge Cup glory in 1952, aged 41.

Wales have an impressive history within European competition having won the European Cup on four occasions and have competed in the event since its inception in 1935. Despite the quality of players they have produced and their success within Europe, Wales has never achieved success on the World Cup stage. In fact, they have only appeared at the World Cup on three occasions, in 1975, 1995 and 2000. 

The Dragons, as they are known, managed to reach the semi-final stage at the 1995 and 2000 World Cups but failed to make it to the last World Cup in 2008 after losing to neighbours Scotland on points difference in a tournament qualifier.

With Welsh legend Iestyn Harris pulling the coaching strings and former Rugby Union player Gareth Thomas returning to International competition, Wales will be looking to repeat the performances of 1995 and 2000 in 2013 and return to the top tier of Rugby League.