Former Welsh rugby star Gerwyn Price continued his remarkable rise in the world of darts by helping to fire Wales into the final of the World Cup in Germany.

Markham-born Price - who previously played for Neath, Cross Keys and Guinness Pro12 outfit Glasgow Warriors as well as rugby league side South Wales Scorpions - only turned professional as a darts player three years ago but has enjoyed a rapid climb up the PDC rankings in his short time on the oche.

He reached the final of the UK Open in March, losing out to world number three Peter Wright in Minehead before being invited to play in the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters for the first ever time last month.

Ex-Welsh rugby star Gerwyn Price who reached his first televised PDC final at the UK Open in Minehead earlier this year

And Price - currently ranked 17th in the world - teamed up with 2008 BDO world champion Mark Webster to fire Wales into the final of this year's World Cup for only the second time in the history of the competition.

The Welsh pair defeated Finland 5-4 in the opening round before securing back-to-back 2-0 wins over Republic of Ireland and Russia to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

Price and Webster then cruised to a third consecutive 2-0 triumph in the last four, beating Belgian brothers Ronnie and Kim Huybrechts to set-up a final showdown with red-hot favourites the Netherlands.

And it was the Dutch team - represented by world number one Michael van Gerwen and five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld - who triumphed 3-1 in the showpiece final in Frankfurt to lift the trophy for the third time.

Speaking after the final, Price said: "We played pretty well and if I knew on Thursday we'd have been in the final I'd have taken it.

Gerwyn Price in action for Cross Keys against Pontypridd in the 2012 Swalec Cup final

"It's disappointing to lose in the final and it's hard to put in a top performance against the likes of Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen.

"But I'd have taken this on Thursday and I'm thrilled to have been in the final."

Mark Webster in action at the World Cup of Darts

His playing partner Webster said: "Coming into the game you'd have thought we'd have a sense of acceptance that we made the final but we gave it a good go.

"They played good and hit the big shots at the right time. I've had a great weekend with Gez, we spend a lot of time together off the board, I've enjoyed his company and this has been brilliant."

Webster - who reached the 2010 final with Barrie Bates - and Price scooped £16,000 each in prize money.