'Act now to stop us becoming a World Cup laughing stock'

ALEX Cuthbert has called on those running the game in Wales to take action to avoid the team being a “laughing stock” in Australia in 2027.

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Wales have been drawn alongside England, as well as Tonga and Zimbabwe, for the tournament in Australia.

It is the first time they will face their arch-rivals at a World Cup since 2015, when winger Cuthbert was part of the team that dumped the hosts out in the pool stages.

Wales have gone onto make the semifinals at the 2019 edition and the quarterfinals four years later, but turmoil in the domestic game has led to a drastic downturn in fortunes as the national team struggles against the backdrop of uncertainty over the future of the regional game.