Wales World Cup squad 'stronger' than 2011 - Robin McBryde

Wales' 2015 Rugby World Cup training squad is "stronger" than the group selected four years ago, says forwards coach Robin McBryde.

Gloucester back-row Ross Moriarty and Exeter prop Tomas Francis are two of nine uncapped players in Wales' 47-man training squad for the tournament.

The class of 2011 went on to reach the semi-finals, finishing fourth, but McBryde is excited by the current crop.

"I think this is a stronger pool of players," said McBryde.

"There's more strength in depth.

"Obviously the number of players, 17 I believe from the last World Cup, they can draw on that experience which puts them in a better position straight away.

"So those 17 players and some of the talent we've unearthed that's come to the fore, there's genuine competition for the final 31 places in the squad.

"I believe this is the strongest pool of players that we've had to select from."

Wales will face hosts England, Australia and Fiji in Group A after an opening game against Uruguay on 20 September in Cardiff.

Warren Gatland's side will prepare for the tournament with training camps in Switzerland, Qatar, Poland and north Wales.

Wales will play two warm-up matches against Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday, 8 August, before going to Dublin on Saturday, 29 August.

Their squad will then before finalised five days before their final warm-up match at home to Italy on Saturday, 5 September.

Among the uncapped players in the squad is Gloucester back-row forward Moriarty.

The 21-year-old Moriarty has played for England Under-20, but qualifies for Wales through his father, former dual code Welsh international Paul.

Moriarty was in action for his club in their European Champions Cup play-off defeat against Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday and impressed McBryde.

"Ross Moriarty has got the qualities to push in several areas of the game," said McBryde.

"As a ball carrier he showed as recently as yesterday [Sunday] how effectively he can be going forward.

"He's got great offloading ability and he's sound at the set piece."