Welsh darts fans have reason to celebrate, as former world champion Gerwyn Price and reigning World Grand Prix winner Jonny Clayton have been confirmed as a pairing for the upcoming Darts World Cup.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) announced the duo will represent Wales in the biennial tournament, which sees nations compete in a unique team format. Price, currently ranked among the world’s top three, and Clayton, a perennial fan favorite known for his calm demeanor and clinical finishing, will be aiming to go one better than their 2023 campaign, where Wales reached the semi-finals.
Price, often dubbed “The Iceman” for his competitive intensity, welcomed the partnership. “Jonny and I have a great understanding on and off the oche,” Price said in a statement. “We push each other in practice, and there’s no one I’d rather have by my side in the pairs matches. We want to bring the trophy home to Wales.”
Clayton, affectionately known as “The Ferret,” echoed the sentiment. “Playing with Gezzy is always special. We’ve had some great runs before, and I feel like our games complement each other perfectly. The World Cup has a unique atmosphere – it’s not just about individual glory, it’s about pride for your country.”
The World Cup features a combination of singles and doubles matches each tie, requiring both adaptability and teamwork. While Price excels in high-pressure, explosive scoring, Clayton brings consistency and a superb doubling percentage – a balance that many pundits believe makes Wales a serious threat to top seeds England and the Netherlands.
Wales has never won the Darts World Cup since its current format was introduced in 2010, though they have reached the final once, in 2020, losing to England. With Price and Clayton both in strong form this season – Price recently claiming a European Tour title and Clayton enjoying deep runs in multiple majors – expectations are higher than ever.
The tournament is scheduled to take place next month in Frankfurt, Germany, with 32 nations competing over four days. Wales has been seeded in the top eight, ensuring they enter at the group stage.
Fans have already taken to social media to voice their excitement, with many dubbing the pairing “The Welsh Dream Team.” One supporter wrote, “Price provides the power, Clayton provides the precision – it’s a perfect match.”
Wales will begin their campaign against a yet-to-be-determined qualifier, with group matches followed by a knockout bracket. Should they lift the trophy, it would mark a historic first World Cup title for Welsh darts.
