Wales were formed in 1891, when a group of 11 clubs came together to form the WRU.
Their first triple crown was won in 1893 and that was then people in Wales started to take notice of the game that is now regarded as our National sport.
Wales had much sucess in the 1970's in which they won Grand Slams in 1971, 1976, 1978 and Triple Crowns in 1971, 1976, 1978, 1979. That era is regarded was Wales' best ever team the greats from that time were players like Phil Bennett, Charlie Faulkner, Graham Price, Steve Fenwick, Bobby Windsor to name a few. There were 11 players who made it to the British and Irish Lions side in New Zealand in 1971 and six who made it to the squad in South Africa in 1974.
The Rugby World Cup made its debut in 1987 with Wales then coached by Richard Moriarty, finished third by beating Australlia which seen the emergence of now Wales pundit Jonathan Davies.
The 90's came and Wales' fly half Neil Jenkins became the first international player to score 1,000 points. In 1999, Wales left the home of Cardiff Arms Park to move into the magnificent 74,500 seated arena that is the Millenium Stadium. It has not only hosted Wales rugby and football ties but it has also hosted major cup finals like the FA Cup and the Heineken Cup.
Wales won their first Grand Slam in the Millenium Stadium by beating Ireland in 2005 where a capacity crowd saw them win it for the first time since 1978 in which Gareth Thomas and Michael Owen lifted the trophy. 2008 Wales completed another Grand Slam after a poor World Cup in 2007, where Ryan Jones captained the side, Martyn Williams had man of the match against France and Shane Williams had player of the tournament. Both players are seen as among the best in the world in their positions.
The current Wales squads not only includes Ryan Jones, Martyn Williams and Shane Williams but the ever reliable Tom Shanklin, Lock Alun Wyn Jones, Gavin Henson, 6ft 3" scrum half Mike Phillips, Dwayne Peel, plus battling out for the fly half position is the reliable Stephen Jones plus the exciting prospect James Hook.
Wales are now coached by Warren Gatland.
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