Newbridge’s Elliot Dee named in Wales’ 33-man Rugby World Cup squad

Newbridge’s Elliot Dee, 29, has been named in Wales’ 33-man squad for this autumn’s Rugby World Cup.

Dragons RFC hooker Dee, who counts Newbridge, Penallta, Bedwas and Cross Keys among his former clubs, will be going to his second World Cup – having been involved in 2019 as Wales reached the semi-finals.

The former Newbridge Comprehensive School pupil has 43 caps for Wales, having made his debut against Georgia in 2017.

Meanwhile, winger Rio Dyer, 23, has also been named in Warren Gatland’s France-bound squad, which was announced on Monday August 21.

Dyer, from Newport, began his playing days at Risca RFC. His older brother, Duane, plays for Bargoed.

Wales will be heading across the English Channel next month looking to make amends for what has so far been a disappointing 2023.

The side finished fifth in the Six Nations, winning just once – and they didn’t do much better this summer either.

A 20-9 win at home to England on August 5 was followed a week later by a disappointing 19-17 loss in the reverse fixture at Twickenham. On Saturday August 19, Wales were on the wrong end of a 52-16 drubbing from reigning world champions South Africa in Cardiff.

In France, Wales have been drawn in Pool C and will get their tournament up and running with a clash with Fiji in Bordeaux on September 10. The last time the World Cup was held in France, Wales fell to an infamous 38-34 defeat to the Fijians to crash out at the group stage.

It will be followed by a date with Portugal in Nice on September 16, before a crunch clash with Australia in Lyon on September 24.

Wales’ final group game will come against Georgia in Nantes on October 7.

Should Wales advance from the group, one of England, Argentina, Japan, Samoa or Chile await in the quarter-finals.