Shaun Edwards yesterday hailed Wales boss Warren Gatland’s impressive record of “peaking his teams at the right time” throughout a trophy-laden coaching career.

With the World Cup kick-off just two weeks away, Wales are set to complete their competitive preparations by hosting Italy today before facing a fearsome pool schedule that features appointments with hosts England and Rugby Championship title holders Australia.

Wales have enjoyed considerable success under head coach Gatland, winning three Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams during his reign, in addition to reaching the 2011 World Cup semi-finals, which was Wales’s best performance on a global stage since 1987.

Gatland also masterminded domestic and European triumphs for Wasps and Wales defence specialist Edwards said: “Warren has had a great record over the years of peaking his teams at the right time and that’s not being boastful, just a fact.

“That has happened over his career and we are hoping he is going to do the same this time.

“There are no guarantees, obviously, but we are hoping that we peak at the right time.

“We do want momentum going into the World Cup. We are keeping fingers crossed with injuries — it would be a travesty to get someone injured so late — but you need match-practice, otherwise you are going to be undercooked going into what is a massive occasion, the World Cup.