IT all starts here, says Wales captain Martyn Williams as the squad regather for the start of the countdown to the World Cup in October.

Three weeks off is all they have been allowed after the demands of Australia and New Zealand Down Under.

The squad, cut down from 55 to 44 because of injury, players returned to their regions and Llanelli centre Leigh Davies stepping down, is back fitness training ahead of the four August internationals against Ireland, England, Romania and Scotland and on to the World Cup back in Australia.

"It starts now," admitted Williams (pictured). "You can see it in training that players are going for World Cup places, it's really competitive.

"The World Cup is the ultimate goal, it doesn't get any bigger and it's great to be involved.

"It's going to be a new experience for a lot of the boys, but it's good that we have just come from down there.

"It was frustrating against Australia (Wales lost 30-10) because I felt there was nothing between the sides, the scoreline flattered them.

"That is why it was such a kick in the teeth against New Zealand because I felt we were nowhere near them (Wales were trounced 55-3).

"It was one of those games, everything went their way, they just clicked into fifth gear."

Despite Wales' unwanted run of nine successive defeats, Williams feels they are not that far away and have a string of good youngsters coming through.

"We're definitely a better team than we showed," he said. "We've had only two real hidings in the nine defeats, apart from which we've been competitive in all our games.

"We nearly beat Ireland and we were competitive against England, though we did let ourselves down against Italy and Scotland.

"We need a win, however it comes, we need to pinch a couple, but the game against Australia has given us a lot of confidence.

"The only thing we are lacking is experience. There is less pressure on us in this World Cup.

"And Gethin Jenkins and Robert Sidoli have taken to international rugby as if they've got 30 or 40 caps while others will surprise a few."

Williams reckons the squad will get only about three weeks off in two years, though in his case he had an enforced break of four months after damaging a shoulder playing for the British Lions in Australia.

He believes that kind of schedule will be eased with the arrival of regional rugby.

"Those four months off did me the world of good because it takes its toll," he said. "But hopefully with the regions we can do it. We haven't had strength in depth, but now we can give the boys a rest by cutting the number of games down.

"We played 36 or 37 last season whereas the Aussies played 25."

Williams names England as World Cup favourites, with New Zealand and France right up there, but says Wales are not afraid of anyone else, including Australia and South Africa.

l Wales are heading off to Lanzarote for a pre-World Cup training break in September.

l Gwent Dragons look like losing out to Bath in the race to sign South African centre Robbie Fleck. Bath are believed to be offering more.