Wales get visit from Joe Calzaghe ahead of Fiji clash as they look to deliver knockout blow to England's Rugby World Cup hopes

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Wales take on Fiji at the Millennium Stadium in Pool A on Thursday
Warren Gatland's side can further dent England's chances in the group
Sam Warburton and Co met boxer Joe Calzaghe ahead of next game
Rugby World Cup 2015: Click here for the latest RWC news

Published: 08:16 EST, 30 September 2015 | Updated: 09:29 EST, 1 October 2015

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Judging by their cuts and bruises, Wales could have just come out of the ring after 12 rounds with Joe Calzaghe.

The local boxing hero paid a visit to their training base ahead of Thursday’s Pool A encounter with Fiji, in contrast to last week’s pep talk from Tom Jones.

Accompanied by his father, Enzo, Calzaghe gave the players a private viewing of his forthcoming film and talked about delivering success as an underdog.

‘It was good for the boys to see the film, but also to talk to Joe and his father,’ said forwards coach Robin McBryde. ‘He’s been true to his roots, staying in Newbridge, and had that never-say-die attitude. He always saw himself as the underdog and trained as such.

‘He thrived on that. The boys had a few questions for him. It was great to have some respite from rugby and talk to one of the greatest boxers in the world. Tom Jones one week, Joe Calzaghe the next, there’s pressure on who comes next week!’

Wales are favourites to beat Fiji at the Millennium Stadium, but an injury list nearing double figures has created a siege mentality.

Two of the first to fall to injury, Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb, were back in camp yesterday to make the shirt presentations to the matchday squad. Another Welsh absentee today is full back Liam Williams, who is out with concussion after being kicked in the head by England flanker Tom Wood on Saturday.

Wales trained at the Millennium Stadium ahead of their next game against Fiji on Thursday

Warren Gatland's side trained at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday ahead of their next Pool A clash

There was no suspension for Wood, which left Nicky Little, star of the Fiji side who knocked Wales out of the 2007 World Cup, feeling aggrieved that giant winger Nemani Nadolo has been banned from tonight’s match for an act of foul play.

‘I don’t think the Island boys and the tier two nations get fair treatment,’ Little told Sportsmail. ‘I’m not saying Nadolo shouldn’t have been banned, but what about the English guy who kicked the Welsh full back in the head? I think the authorities are scared of penalising the big nations.’

The absence of 19st 12lb flyer Nadolo will help 11st 7lb full back Matthew Morgan rest easy before his first Wales start. McBryde described Morgan as ‘a Wales player of old, with a swing of the hips’, tipping the 23-year-old to become a fans’ favourite.

‘He’s got an extra bit of magic, something different,’ said McBryde. ‘He’s quite a slippery character. The supporters can identify with that and the roar of anticipation will grow when he gets the ball. He’s akin to Shane Williams.’

Wales can deliver another massive blow to England's chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals

Wales continued their preparations for their next match in Pool A against Fiji on Thursday

Wales lock Luke Charteris (left) passes the ball during the training session at the Millennium Stadium

Despite missing Nadolo, Fiji still carry the threat of heavyweight runners.

As a teenager, Morgan was told he was too small to make it as a professional rugby player, but is confident in his ability to chop any powerful ball-carriers around their ankles.

‘Hopefully our first line of defence will tackle them,’ joked Morgan. ‘If they get through, I’ll just have to go low. I was over the moon when I was told of my selection but I struggled to fall asleep. So I spoke to the doctor and asked if he could help.’

If Wales are going to score four tries — a feat they have only ever achieved four times against Fiji — and secure a bonus point, then Morgan’s finishing could be important.

Wales captain Warburton prepares to take on Fiji at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday

Wales scrum half Gareth Davies passes the ball during his team's practice session on Wednesday

Alex Cuthbert in action during Wales' training session at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday

Charteris hands the ball off under pressure during a training drill in Cardiff on Wednesday

But Gatland’s side must play with structure and avoid getting sucked into an open-field battle, at which the island nations traditionally thrive, so equally important will be their driving line-out.

‘It’s a tool we have in the box and if it works we’ll keep using it,’ said McBryde. ‘But we have to be respectful of Fiji because they will have done work. We’ve got some strong runners behind and we will use them at some stage as well.

‘We’re in a very similar position to where we were in 2011, when we built up a head of steam. If we can get another win our momentum will grow. It was a huge result last week and we have to follow it up.’

George North in action as Wales go through their captain's run at the Millennium Stadium

Star fly-half Dan Biggar emerges to train for Wales on Wednesday in preparation for the Fiji test

WORLD CUP: THE STORY SO FAR

Thursday: Wales v Fiji (Millennium Stadium, 4.45pm). Saturday: England v Australia (Twickenham, 8pm). Oct 6: Fiji v Uruguay (Stadium MK, 8pm). Oct 10: Australia v Wales (Twickenham, 4.45pm), England v Uruguay (Man City, 8pm).

Thursday: NZ v Georgia (Millennium Stadium, 8.0). Sunday: Argentina v Tonga (Leicester Stadium, 2.30pm). Oct 7: Namibia v Georgia (Sandy Park, 8pm). Oct 9: NZ v Tonga (St James’ Park, 8pm). Oct 11: Argentina v Namibia (Leicester, 12pm).

Saturday: Samoa v Japan (Stadium MK, 2.30pm), South Africa v Scotland (St James’ Park, 4.45pm). Oct 7: South Africa v USA (Olympic Stadium, 4.45pm). Oct 10: Samoa v Scotland (St James’ Park, 2.30pm). Oct 11: USA v Japan (Kingsholm, 8pm).

Wednesday: France v Canada (Stadium MK, 8pm). Sunday: Ireland v Italy (Olympic Stadium, 4.45pm). Oct 6: Canada v Romania (Leicester Stadium, 4.45pm). Oct 11: Italy v Romania (Sandy Park, 2.30pm), France v Ireland (Millennium Stadium, 4.45pm).

QUARTER-FINALS

Sat, Oct 17: QF1 Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A (Twickenham, 4pm). QF2 Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D (Millennium Stadium, 8pm). Sun, Oct 18: QF3 Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C (Millennium Stadium, 1pm). QF4 Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B (Twickenham, 4pm).

SEMI-FINAL Sat, Oct 24: SF1 Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 (Twickenham, 4pm). Sun, Oct 25: SF2 Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 (Twickenham, 4pm).

THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF Fri, Oct 30: Olympic Stadium, 8pm.

FINAL Sat, Oct 31: Twickenham, 4pm.