A family of four can watch Wales's Rugby World Cup squad take on Six Nations Champions France or the Pumas – both sides with higher world rankings than ourselves – for the price of just £60 (£20 per adult and £10 per child).

The two matches in Cardiff on 18th August (v Argentina, kick-off 2.30pm) and 26th August (v France, kick-off 2.45pm) are vital to Jenkins's build up to the four key clashes with Canada, Australia, Japan and Fiji in the 6th global rugby tournament which begins in September.

And today Jenkins donned his sunglasses and raised a glass of the Wales team's official energy drink, Powerade, to help fans get into the summer rugby spirit.

"We have the best fans in World rugby here in Wales and we have a summer festival of rugby ahead of us where we can begin our assault on the William Webb Ellis trophy in earnest," said Jenkins.

"We've said all along that we are hoping to create a squad to peak at exactly the right time for the Rugby World Cup and these Invesco Perpetual Summer Series matches will be where we really start to get a taste for what we are about.

"We are looking at two glorious summer days out for Welsh rugby fans at the Millennium Stadium with ticket prices at hugely competitive rates."

The importance of both home games to the World Cup campaign is obvious with Jenkins stressing the August matches will also give Welsh fans – his side's 16th player – a chance to get in shape to roar Wales on.

Having spent a week in France at their World Cup base, the coach is adamant that the clashes will be crucial in getting players and fans alike in tune for the two World Cup ties to be held in the Welsh capital, against Australia and Japan.

"With 20,000 or more Welsh fans set to converge on Nantes for our World Cup opener against Canada, the matches against Argentina and France will be a great opportunity for everyone to get ready for the challenge.

"As well as seeing a Wales team aspiring to become World Champions our fans have the chance to underline what we already know, that they are the best in the world, and we know they won't let us down.

"It's an unusual time of year for rugby, but that's why the Welsh players need as much support as possible.

"They are vital games in our build up to the World Cup and we want to recreate the pressure cooker atmosphere we know we will face at all our matches by having full-houses at the Millennium Stadium in August."

The Pumas have won four of their last five games against Wales and were 30-16 winners on their last visit to the Millennium Stadium in 2001 – they also beat Ireland twice in the summer.

It will be a revenge mission for Gareth Jenkins having lost two tests in Argentina during his first matches in charge in the summer of 2006. Back then he didn't have his top team available, this time he will have a full squad to choose from.

There are some great names in the Pumas squad, Augustin Pichot, Felipe Contepomi, Juan-Martin Hernandez, the Fernandez-Lobbe brothers and Mario Ledesma, and they will provide a huge threat.

"The game against Argentina will provide us with a totally different type of challenge to the game against England. It is going to be a massive test for our front five," added Jenkins.

"The Pumas are a class side with real Rugby World Cup title ambitions. They beat England at Twickenham last year, and got within a point of beating the French on home soil.

"The two games against Argentina and France are as much a build up to the World Cup for the fans as they are the players, the support we receive for the fans at the Millennium Stadium is a vital ingredient for us.

"We know we have to ignite their passion, but they also must realise just how much they can lift their team and discourage the opposition."

Tickets for the Invesco Perpetual Summer Series matches are going well with both matches around the 30,000 mark and rising. With tickets at Wales's World Cup games down to a bear minimum the August matches give fans, and especially families, great value for money and a unique chance to see their side in action.

Tickets are available from the WRU ticket hotline on 08705 582 582, online at http://www.wru.co.uk/ or by visiting the Millennium Stadium ticket office in Cardiff at 98 St Mary Street. Prices range from £20 to £30 for adults with accompanying child tickets at £10 and £15.