Warren Gatland oversees training before Wales face Italy

Wales coach Warren Gatland has expressed his delight at finding he will be returning home for part of the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Two of Wales' fixtures - against Oceania 1 and Fiji - will be at Gatland's home city of Hamilton.

"I had a feeling we would be going to Waikato [the Hamilton stadium] and am very much looking forward to Wales playing there twice," Gatland said.

Wales face a tough opener against champions the Springboks in Wellington.

They then take on Oceania 1 (likely to be Samoa) at Hamilton before facing Africa 1 (likely to be Namibia) at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth.

Wales return to the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton for the final pool stage fixture against Fiji, who unceremoniously knocked Wales out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

I do fancy Wales as big dark horses for the 2011 Rugby World Cup Lyn Jones, former Ospreys head coach

The then Wales coach Gareth Jenkins was sacked the next day with Warren Gatland appointed just over a month later.

Under Gatland, Wales went on to win the 2008 Grand Slam and are now ranked fifth in the world behind New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Australia.

So there is plenty to prove in New Zealand, and in Hamilton in particular for former Waikato captain Gatland.

"Hamilton is one of the best rugby grounds in the country, it has the best surface and the best atmosphere," he said.

"It's one of the only grounds of its kind still entirely dedicated to rugby. Some of the others host cricket matches and the like, but in Waikato it's rugby through and through.

606: DEBATE If we qualify to the knockout stages then we will probably have Oz or Ireland in the next round TheTrinity

"The Waikato people are also the most passionate and knowledgeable fans, they are extremely loyal and they know a good game of rugby when they see one - they are very much like the Welsh.

"That's why I feel so at home in Wales. I've heard Shaun Edwards refer to Wales as 'a big Wigan' and I can relate to that because for me Wales is like a big Waikato."

Meanwhile former Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones told Thursday's Scrum V Radio programme it would be a tough start for Wales in the Rugby World Cup, but they should be targeting a win against South Africa.

"Wales have built in confidence massively against the northern hemisphere sides, they've beaten Australia and performed well against New Zealand and South Africa - they're building," Jones said.

"You've got to think positively, got to think big, or you're never going to get there.

"By 2011 I think we're going to be good enough.

Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Stephen Jones, James Hook� they'll be a lot older, a lot wiser. I do fancy Wales as big dark horses for the 2011 Rugby World Cup."

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