WELSH rugby is on a high again at national level, and with as many as a third of the 30-man squad in New Zealand for the World Cup being 23 or under the future looks extremely bright.

Now I know such a bold statement could be the kiss of death and in Welsh rugby there is very little grey, it’s either black or white, we are either up in the clouds or down in the dumps.

But the glass does look half full rather than half empty at the moment. And I’m well aware that bogey team Fiji lie in wait at the Waikato Stadium on Sunday ready for a repeat act of four years ago when Wales suffered one of their darkest hours as the Pacific Islanders humiliated them, knocking them out of the World Cup in the group stages.

But I can’t see that happening this time around. The Fijians have had a disappointing tournament whereas Wales are looking good and ready to claim their place in the quarter-finals.

They began with a rousing display against world champions South Africa, losing by a point in wet and windy Wellington, since when that performance has been put into perspective as the Springboks have cranked it up, sweeping the Fijians and Namibia aside and being hailed here as the only team which can stop the All Blacks from winning the World Cup.

Wales then met a difficult challenge from Samoa, also out to repeat previous World Cup triumphs at their expense, but they came through it and though it was a close run thing confidence soared as a result.

Coach Warren Gatland saw fit to make 11 changes against a Namibia team ranked the lowest in the tournament and having to play again just four days after being blitzed by South Africa.

But once more the Welsh team delivered. Apart from a blip during the second period of the first half they were pretty impressive and also racked up more than 80 points.

Now there is Fiji to come, and the biggest problem for Gatland could be who to leave out of the team. He asked the players who came in on Monday night to give him selection headaches and they did just that.

The opposition may have been poor, but in many ways it was an unforgettable night in the majestic town of New Plymouth with its stadium in the shadows of the dominant snow-capped Mount Taranaki.

I’ve been to grounds in South Africa where Newlands against the backdrop of Table Mountain is imposing and in Australia where the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane is memorable, but if there is a more wonderful setting than Stadium Taranaki anywhere in the world I’d like to see it.

Hearing the anthems and the largely Welsh crowd in the stadium give it full voice in such a place made for an emotional experience, one of those tingling occasions, and the team rose to it by producing some champagne rugby.

And though three players with 230 caps between them returned to the fray it was some of those youngsters who stole the show and showed that the future of Welsh rugby is in good hands.

Top of the list was centre Scott Williams, just 21, celebrating his first World Cup start with a hat-trick of tries and helping Wales achieve a record World Cup victory of 81-7.

Then there were two 21-year-old scrum halves, Tavis Knoyle and replacement Lloyd Williams, 22 year-old Leigh Halfpenny on the wing, who could yet prove to be the best choice at full back, Williams’ co-centre Jon Davies at 23, replacement prop Ryan Bevington at 22 and back row pair Toby Faletau, still only 20, and Sam Warburton already an inspiring captain at just 23.

George North, who could be the individual Welsh star of the World Cup, is still a teenager, not 20 until next April, and key flanker Dan Lydiate, currently injured, is 23.

Jamie Roberts, Rhys Priestland, Ken Owens and Bradley Davies are hardly getting on either, all of them 24. Only Australia have a younger squad at the World Cup and while youth isn’t everything Wales do look in good shape.

They possess a considerable amount of experience as well, with Stephen and Ryan Jones plus Gethin Jenkins making their first World Cup starts in the current tournament against Namibia boasting, 230 caps between them, while Shane Williams is still in his pomp at 34, though his days on the international stage are very much numbered.

The only barrier I can see to a World Cup semi-final place next month is injuries. Kicking coach Neil Jenkins was pretty upbeat yesterday in saying everyone would be available for selection for the Fiji game.

But I’m not so sure, for there is a history of, shall we say, being economical with the truth when it comes to players’ fitness.

Wales are currently without Lydiate (ankle), Shane Williams (thigh) and James Hook (shoulder) while Gethin Jenkins appeared to be limping as he came off after an hour against Namibia in his first start since January, and Ryan Jones and Stephen Jones will wait to see if there are any repercussions.

But overall Wales can be more than happy with where they are at the moment. I can’t see this squad and management team allowing another slip against Fiji.

And after that Wales have beaten probable quarter-final opponents Ireland this year, though the Irish do look formidable right now. But at the very least we can strike an optimistic note, for a change, at a World Cup competition.