No Regrets: Welsh Rugby's Plan to Conquer the World

No Regrets was the name given to Welsh rugby’s three-year masterplan to give the national team the best possible chance of success at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Created in a Wellington hotel in 2016 after Wales had been thumped 40-7 by the Waikato Chiefs during their summer tour of New Zealand, Head coach Warren Gatland, attack coach Rob Howley, Chief Executive Martyn Phillips, and then-Head of Rugby Performance Geraint John knew a major step change was needed. No Regrets was the result. In No Regrets - Welsh Rugby’s Plan to Conquer the World, acclaimed Western Mail rugby correspondent Matthew Southcombe reveals how the masterplan led to the 2017 tour success in Argentina, a clean sweep in the 2018 autumn internationals and, in 2019, a Six Nations Grand Slam, a record 14-game unbeaten run, and a World Rugby #1 ranking. Hopes were high amongst the squad and the nation as the team headed to Japan with a genuine expectation of winning the tournament.Essential reading for all Welsh rugby supporters, Matthew Southcombe, in addition to telling the story of Wales’ 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign, also recalls the highs and lows of Wales at the previous eight World Cups, assesses Warren Gatland’s 12-year legacy with Wales, and asks what is required for this rugby-obsessed nation to reach the World Cup final, and finally lift the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Matthew Southcombe has been the Western Mail’s rugby correspondent since 2014 and spent the entire Rugby World Cup in Japan.