Gatland has had to make do without key players Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts and Shane Williams in recent weeks and is convinced his squad are on the right track with the World Cup less than 11 months away.

“I’ve looked at some of the 2008 (Grand Slam) games and when you see those performances you realise that we’ve improved massively,” said Gatland, who has overseen just two wins in his last 13 matches.

“We can take confidence from how well our forward pack has gone when you think England got battered up front by South Africa.

“We’ve also got some key backs who aren’t involved at the moment and when they return they will give us depth and creativity.

“Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny and Shane Williams are all coming back from fitness and Gavin Henson, who is doing some dancing, might end up playing a bit of rugby at some stage.”