Wales captain Ryan Jones and coach Warren Gatland announce the team

Coach Warren Gatland believes that Wales are a better side than when they won the Grand Slam under him in 2008.

Despite losing the opening two autumn Tests to Australia and South Africa, he says his players are in better shape.

Wales entered the 2008 Six Nations having been knocked out of the World Cup in September by Fiji, who they face again in Cardiff on Friday night.

"Everyone talks about Wales winning the Grand Slam in 2008. I honestly believe this team is better now," Gatland said.

"I think since then if you are looking at the overall development of this team... I think we are on the right track in what we are showing.

"The whole thing has been working to the long-term goal of getting some depth and talent, and performing well in the World Cup."

While Fiji do not pose the same threat as Tri-Nations giants Australia, South Africa and New Zealand - who Wales face in their final autumn Test - the Pacific Islanders are no pushovers.

Their shock 38-34 win over Wales in Nantes at the 2007 World Cup signalled the end of Gareth Jenkins' time in charge and ushered in the Gatland era.

We are playing the best teams in the world and we feel we are knocking on the door Wales coach Warren Gatland

Fiji again await Wales in next year's World Cup in New Zealand - along with the Springboks, Samoa and Namibia in the group stage - so Friday's game at the Millennium Stadium has a serious edge to it.

"We know all too well that the Fijians bring an extra dimension to their game when they face Wales, and there is no doubt they will have targeted us as a game they think they can win," Gatland said.

"We need to be ruthless against Fiji.

"We have been self-critical this week about our failure to close out matches when the finishing line might be in sight, no less than was evident against South Africa.

"It would have been nice to have been able to have a celebration on Saturday night with a great victory other than coming off being really disappointed. So close and yet so far away.

"We are playing the best teams in the world and we feel we are knocking on the door and a couple of decisions, a little bit of luck and a little bit of mental toughness that we are going to crack one of these soon.

"Hopefully it's not too long. It's starting to do my head in a bit!"

With one eye on the All Blacks clash on 27 November, Gatland has made eight changes - which will become nine if flanker Dan Lydiate overcome his ankle problem - against Fiji from the side beaten 29-25 by South Africa last weekend.

Foremost among these is the return of Ryan Jones to the back-row after a calf injury, with the Ospreys player also regaining the Wales captaincy as hooker Matthew Rees is rested.

Review - 2008 Six Nations season

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