Nations Championship: Wales closing gap on world’s best – Jack Morgan

Wales finished the first season under Tandy with a record of three wins against Japan, Italy and Fiji in 12 Tests.

They are 11th in the world rankings – oddly up one place courtesy of the Azzurri’s heavy defeat in Australia – as they count towards next year’s World Cup, when they face England, Tonga and Zimbabwe in the group stage.

“The squad has built up, especially our performances against Scotland and Ireland during the Six Nations and then the win against Italy,” Morgan said.

“We were pleased with the win against Fiji earlier in the summer because we know how hard they are to beat.

“We just have to keep developing and we’re doing that as a squad. There’s still a lot of lessons to learn, but the more we play together, the more experience we’ll get and the more we can improve.”

Morgan, who is now officially a Gloucester player after a summer move from Ospreys, missed eight Tests with a shoulder injury against Argentina in Tandy’s first game.

The British and Irish Lions flanker says Wales are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to close the gap as soon as possible.

“We’re a very close team and everybody wants to be good,” said Morgan, who captained Tandy in his first game

“I’m proud of the effort they’ve put in, not just in these three weeks, but throughout the season.

“It’s clear that everyone wants to learn, improve and continue to develop together as a squad.”

Wales will play four Nations Championship matches against Japan, New Zealand and Australia in Cardiff in November and face another Southern Hemisphere opponent on the finals weekend at Twickenham.