Wales fended off a frenzied Fijian assault to emerge 32-26 victors in their opening World Cup Pool C clash in Bordeaux on Sunday, giving themselves every chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

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Wales’ inside centre Nick Tompkins (L) during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Fiji at Stade de Bordeaux in France on September 10, 2023. © Christophe Archambault, AFP

Victory in the raucous, freewheeling contest offers a beleaguered Welsh squad redemption after losing six of eight internationals in 2023, while Fiji’s hopes of advancing already look dented for all their recent progress.

Victory was