Harris - pair have plenty to offer
WALES
The success story of the 1995 tournament, where they delighted everybody before losing narrowly to England in the semi-finals, the Welsh dragon will be looking for a repeat of that performance in this year's tournament.
But while a potential quarter-final against France looks highly winnable, it is getting to that stage which may prove problematic for Clive Griffiths' team.
Waiting for the Welsh in group two are mighty New Zealand and the no doubt fierce-tackling Cook Islanders.
But perhaps the greatest threat to Wales' hopes of a quarter-final berth will come from a Lebanon team sprinkled with Australian NRL players and desperate to make an impression in front of the watching world.
Coached by the astute and knowledgeable Griffiths the Welsh will look to get off to a flier with a convincing win over the Cook Islands in Wrexham.
And should they win their opening two games, the stage could be set for a mouth-watering group-topping clash with New Zealand at the magnificent Millennium Stadium.
In terms of inspiration, Wales will look chiefly to two men - stand-off Iestyn Harris and hooker Keiron Cunningham.
Harris is a truly magnificent player who will be at the fulcrum of Wales' attacking endeavours, while Cunningham will give everything to keep the Welsh pack driving forward.
With five Northern Ford Premiership players in the squad there are justified doubts over the lack of top-class talent if the star players are struck down by injury.
But if everyone stays fit then a repeat of 1995 would come as little surprise for a nation that maintains a real passion for both codes of rugby.