Wales may have won a first Grand Slam in seven years but centre Jamie Roberts insists they are not yet firing on all cylinders and can achieve more in the next 12 months.
The Rugby World Cup is among the targets on the horizon for Warren Gatland’s side – who have climbed to No.2 in the world rankings after their impressive Guinness Six Nations campaign.
During the 2019 Championship, Wales saw off all-comers home but Roberts believes there is more to come.
“I really hope the team grows and finds another gear in Japan and yes they can win the World Cup,” he said.
“That is what is exciting is you have another few gears to go. They have won a Grand Slam and I don’t think they have played their best rugby yet.
One possible area for improvement would be in attack where Wales scored only ten tries in their five games – the joint lowest total with Italy.
Roberts added: “It is just about continuing that momentum and growing it as well because I don’t think we saw the best of Wales in attack during the Guinness Six Nations.
“There is a lot of rugby to be played before the World Cup and I hope Wales do not have too many injuries.
“Wales play two warm-up games each against England and Ireland which will be full blooded Test matches with players looking to impress.”
Roberts is a two-time British & Irish Lion with 94 Test caps, but the 32-year-old has found himself on the outside looking in of late as Hadleigh Parkes has thrived in the No.12 jersey.
But the Bath centre has not given up all hope of figuring in Japan this autumn as Wales chase a first-ever Rugby World Cup crown.
“It was a brilliant achievement by the lads and I was just gutted I was not involved and would have loved to have played,” he added.
“It was impressive and great to see some players grow during the tournament. To watch from afar and see the resilience of the group was outstanding.
“To see Wales from where they were down at half-time in the opening game Paris, nobody would have given them to win a Grand Slam from there and the odds would have been long.
“We know the Welsh game is based around a strong defence, coached by Shaun Edwards, and it was fantastic.”
