Gatland’s side will open the tournament with a Millennium Stadium clash against England on Friday February 4, before travelling to Scotland and Italy and finishing off with Ireland at home and a trip to Paris.

And while the decision to have the opener played on a Friday evening might not be popular in some circles, Gatland is full of praise for the decision.

He said: “It’s a fantastic draw with the first game being England at home on a Friday night which is exciting.

“We’ve had Friday night fixtures for a couple of years now but it’s still new for the tournament.

“Then we have Scotland and Italy away which are games we’ll need to target. If we can win that first game and then get a good run, we have Ireland at home and finish with France in Paris on a Saturday night.

“It’s a good draw for us and as far as Friday nights are concerned, the players are used to them from the Magners League so it will make no different to us.

“It may take some time to settle in as far as supporters are concerned but personally I would find it quite exciting as you can make an evening of it at your local rugby club, make it a real occasion then have the weekend to play games or do other things.”