With just two victories over Scotland and Italy, Wales had to be content with fourth place– the eighth time since the beginning of the Six Nations in 2000 that they have failed to finish in the top half.

Gatland was quick to admit his team had made some basic mistakes throughout the tournament but had to do without the likes of star scrum-half Mike Phillips for the majority of the campaign.

But ahead of their summer tour to New Zealand, Gatland believes there was enough quality shown in the final game against Italy that showed Wales are up their with the best.

He said: “Saturday was really important for us in terms of showing how much the jersey means to the players.

“We wanted to deliver a performance with some pride and some passion, that was the theme of the week.

“In the past we might have gone into a game like that and it would have been fairly negative, but it was important we delivered a real performance.

“We have been frustrated by some of the stupid things we have done on the field like yellow cards and some of the decision making.

“But we have also had key players out injured, yet that is sport and you have to make the best of what you have.

“The biggest thing we have to improve is accuracy under pressure. We have created chances and not finished and not been accurate.

“I was speaking to Nick Mallett afterwards and he told me the only two teams they fear in the Six Nations are France and Wales.

“They feel they can handle the other teams, but if Wales and France get it right he said he felt they have the firepower to make it really difficult.

“We have some confidence going forward now and we know that when we played with intensity and tempo we can beat some of the best teams in the world.”