Gatland wants time to weave Leeds spell

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The 44-year-old New Zealander - an ex-All Blacks hooker - will officially take charge on December 1, having agreed a four-year contract understood to be worth more than £1 million.

He said: "There will be some ups and downs - hopefully more ups than downs - and we can move things forward. I am asking people not to expect miracles from day one. It is going to take a little bit of time, putting things in place."

Gatland takes over from Gareth who Jenkins was sacked in September following a dismal World Cup campaign when Wales failed to progress beyond the pool stage, losing their final game against Fiji in Nantes.

And Wales have now recruited Gatland, who Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis insists was the first-choice candidate, despite Springboks World Cup winner Jake White and New Zealander Robbie Deans also being linked with the post.

The coach added: "I am totally committed to doing the best job I can, and to put a team out that hopefully the Welsh public will be proud of their performances.

"I know the pressures and expectations that are going to be placed on me in terms of the role I have been given.

"But this was an opportunity and a challenge I couldn't walk away from. As a coach, you always want to coach at the highest level, and I have got that chance again.

"Being 10th in the world is too low a ranking, and I intend to try and improve that.

"We all want to see some consistency, not a rollercoaster ride, and consistency is a real key for me."