WALES coach Warren Gatland says the Welsh team and management will have no excuses after the WRU unveiled a £2m centre of excellence which they describe as the best in the world.

The centre is at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort which the Welsh team already uses and it is going ahead in conjunction with Vale owners Leekes and the Sports Council for Wales. It will house: * A full size, floodlit artificial pitch to IRB standards meaning outdoor full contact training can take place in all weathers.

* A second full size grass pitch which will also be floodlit.

* A third international standard pitch for exclusive use by the senior squad.

* Two half pitches for technical skills outside full team sessions.

* A new artificial pitch laid to the same standard as the outside facility so that full contact training and rehabilitation can take place indoors.

Work has already started on the project which is due to be completed by next October.

This is what the powers-that-be had to say about the new centre at yesterday’s launch: Roger Lewis, WRU group chief executive: “We are building the finest centre of rugby excellence anywhere in the world thanks in part to the Sports Council and the Welsh Assembly as well as Leekes.”

Warren Gatland, Wales coach: “It’s a fantastic facility and it’ll be world class. There will be no excuses now for not performing at the best of our ability. It’s a great step forward and everyone is excited about it.

“We will be better equipped than any other national side in the world. To be able to go from doing a lot of work in the indoor facility to the new pitch to do full contact work and then go for short, intensive training will be fantastic.

David Pickering, WRU chairman: “If you want to be the best in the world you need the best facility.

“This is a vital cog and is the best for players coming into a positive environment.”

Huw Jones, Sports Council for Wales: “This is the last piece in the jigsaw offering special facilities including the Velodrome in Newport.

“You can’t just rely on talent turning up, you need systems, world class coaching, the best sports science and the best training facilities so players can have the best opportunity to prepare for international competition.”