Wales have only met Portugal once before and that was back in 1994 in a World Cup qualifier.

It turned out to be a record-breaking day and one Portugal would like to forget.

It was the only time Wales have scored more than 100 points in an international, with the score finishing 102-11.

Nigel Walker scored four tries, with hat-tricks for captain Ieuan Evans and Cardiff centre Mike Hall, while Neil Jenkins added 11 conversions.

Will history repeat itself today?

Read more: When Wales' class of 1994 put 100 points on Portugal

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Josh Navidi
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions back row on BBC Scrum V

I'm not as nervous as last week but it's about being composed and the boys doing their job in their role, getting that score board ticking over early and not trying to do too much.

If we can play most of the game in their half it will be a comfortable day for us.

Portugal captain Tomas Appleton says his side "have to beat at our best" if they are going to cause one of the great World Cup upsets and beat Wales today.

Portugal are playing in only their second World Cup - they're last appearance coming in 2007.

"We're confident we're going to show our best rugby but know the reality," said Appleton.

"Wales have been one of the best teams in the world for the last few years.

"They are not at their best level at the moment, but it's still a long way for us to go to be at their level."

Image source, Getty Images

Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe thought his World Cup was over even before it began.

He missed the 2019 tournament after suffering a serious knee injury and thought the curse had struck again in July.

He found himself in a Turkey hospital fearing the worst after breaking his thumb tackling George North.

"I thought I was done again and that was devastating," he said.

Fortunately for Anscombe and for Wales, he's made a full recovery and will be chomping at the bit to get going today.

Read more: Gareth Anscombe overcomes injury curse

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales co-captain Dewi Lake will not only make his World Cup debut this evening, but he also has the honour of leading his side out in Nice.

He says enormity of the occasion has not yet sunk in.

Image source, Getty Images

Portugal head coach Patrice Lagisquet has largely reverted to the squad that helped then qualify for the World Cup in the play-off.

They drew 16-16 with the United States in November 2022 to claim their spot in Pool C.

Thirteen of the starting XV play in France, but only Perpignan hooker Mike Tadjer plays in the Top 14.

Their star man is scrum-half Samuel Marques, who has previously played for Brive and Toulouse.

He debuted in 2012 but spent eight years in the international wilderness. Now returned, he provides invaluable experience and nerveless goalkicking.

Portugal: Guedes; Pinto, Lima, Appleton (capt), Marta; Portela, Marques; Fernandes, Tadjer, Alves, Bello, Cerqueira, Granate, Martins, Simoes.

Replacements: Costa, Campergue, Ferreira, Freitas, Wallis, Lucas, Moura, Storti.

Image source, Getty Images

As expected with a six day turnaround, Wales are pretty much all-changed from that bruising encounter with Fiji.

Only Taulupe Faletau and Louis Rees-Zammit survive in the starting XV, and that's because Faletau is short on game time having missed the World Cup warm-ups and Warren Gatland wants Rees-Zammit to just keep playing.

Hooker Dewi Lake captains the side and makes his World Cup debut along with locks Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza and centres Mason Grady and Johnny Williams.

Gareth Anscombe starts at fly-half while Tomos Williams will win his 50th cap at scrum-half.

There's plenty of experience in the team with full-back Leigh Halfpenny and flanker Dan Lydiate playing in their third World Cups.

Wales: L Halfpenny; Rees-Zammit, Grady, J Williams, Dyer; Anscombe, T Williams; Smith, Lake (capt), D Lewis, Tshiunza,Jenkins, Lydiate, Reffell, Faletau.

Replacements: Elias, Domachowski, Francis, Beard, Basham, G Davies, Costelow, Adams.

Good evening and welcome to sunny Nice.

Hopefully everyone's fingernails have grown back after the thriller in Bordeaux last weekend.

This one should be a little less stressful - should be!

Portugal are Wales' next Pool C opponents, they are making their first Rugby World Cup appearance since 2007.

Let's begin with a look at the teams.

Image source, Getty Images