THE Rugby World Cup kicks-off this evening as hosts England face Fiji at Twickenham.

Wales, who are in the the same group as 2003 champions England and twice winners Australia, begin their campaign on Sunday against Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Brecon and Radnorshire has contributed to some memorable World Cup moments down the years. Wales flanker Dan Lydiate, from Abbeycwmhir, near Llandrindod was part of the Wales squad that reached the semi-finals at the last tournament.

Abercraf’s Adam Jones was a firm fixture of the Welsh front row during the 2003 and 2007 World Cups as well as the memorable 2011 campaign.

In 2003 the prop was part of the Welsh team which secured a World Cup quarter final place in a tense 27-15 win over Italy in which Garth speedster Mark Jones scored a try. Wales bowed out of the tournament in entertaining style against England in the quarter finals.

Wales isn’t the only country to have benefitted from the talents of Breconshire rugby players. Dewi Morris, from Crickhowell, was England’s first choice scrum half at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. He was part of the team steamrollered by Jonah Lomu and the New Zealand All Black in the semi-final. Dewi, who is now a TV pundit, bowed out of international rugby in England’s third place play-off defeat to France.

With World Cup fever taking hold we’ve gone back through our archive to take a look at some of the famous faces from Brecon and Radnorshire who’ve made their mark in the international game.