Past pre-Rugby World Cup performance has been positive, with Wales winning five out of seven pre-tournament games in 1999 and 2003, but Wales have failed to go beyond the quarter-finals since 1987.

And this time around, the majority of the competing nations will not have shown their full set of cards before the tournament opener on September 8th.

So, what will Wales learn over the next three weeks of action?

Rob Howley, captain of Wales for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, said: "Everyone is playing mind games at the moment. You just have to look at the last three months of tours and the Tri Nations.

"England, France, Ireland and Wales haven't shown their full sides and South Africa in the latter stages of the Tri Nations picked their second string.

"It's only Australia who have picked their first team and New Zealand who are the only side in the world who can select two Test XVs who can compete with anyone in the world.

"There is a lot of kidology and mind games going into the Rugby World Cup and it throws the game wide open with everyone working behind closed doors.

"The psychology of the warm-up games is you want to win the games and make sure that the things you have done in training, the policies in defence and attack that you have put in place are effective.

"The only way you can do that is in the warm-up games because training doesn't actually match the intensity of the games. So it's really important that things that have worked well are transferred from the training pitch against the likes of England, Argentina and France.

"I am sure the warm-up games will be key for the momentum of most of the sides. Teams do not want to show their cards too early."

Momentum is a buzz word at this time of the year with every side aiming to be in peak condition for rugby's biggest global competition.

Howley, a British and Irish Lion in 1997 and 2001, said, "Every game is in isolation, but one win moves you on in terms of your performance and the way you are playing to another level because more confidence allows you to play a better game.

"Momentum will start with selection and Gareth and his management team will be looking to pick their starting XVs against Argentina and France to give the team extra experience of playing together prior to the opening game.

"It's so important to win the first game."

But Mark Taylor, a member of Wales's Rugby World Cup squads of 1999 and 2003, says people should not read too much into the warm-up results.

"In 1999, we came into the tournament on a high after winning a lot of matches but we struggled with performances," said the 34-year-old. "Whereas in 2003, we played much better rugby in Australia having lost to England by forty points in the warm-up which was a real low and affected the confidence of the boys. It was a tough few weeks.

"England brought a second team and I can remember Simon Shaw running 50 yards brushing people off one handed and that was a depressing moment."

"It's a chance for the boys to get some game time and get back to match fitness. But results are not the important thing, it's all about the guys looking like a team and getting their combinations together. The warm-up games do not truly reflect the situation."

With the countdown to selection drawing ever closer, there will be tense times in the days ahead for the Welsh players.

Taylor remembers the 1995 Rugby World Cup selection process and after being named in the 40-man provisional squad, the centre missed the cut for the finals in South Africa.

He said: "I can remember finding out about the 1995 squad because I found out myself on teletext. I was devastated. There is a lot of competition in the current team, especially in the back row area and 10 and 12 positions."

Howley added: "There will be a few nerves for those on the fringe but the players will have a fair idea of who will be selected for the World Cup. I think Gareth and many of the players will have a feeling whether they are in or out of the squad.

"Of course, there will be tight calls because you can only take 30 players. New Zealand have taken three scrum halves and three hookers which are specialist positions. That only leaves room for 24 players so there is a fine line in selection and Gareth and the Welsh team know that.

"With such close calls, there will be huge disappointment and also huge delight for those who are selected."

The Cardiff Blues Assistant Coach knows all about playing on the biggest stage and compares the tournament to another great sporting spectacle.

"It's the Olympic games for players. I was fortunate to have had that experience of playing in a World Cup and some players have had the experience of two or three World Cups. Those who haven't, get on the plane and enjoy the ride."

Wales face Argentina and France in the Millennium Stadium to complete their preparations before opening their Pool B campaign against Canada in Nantes on September 9th.