Six Nations 2015: 'Wales are better than before the last World Cup,' says Jamie Roberts

Time is proving the greatest commodity in Test rugby and as a result Warren Gatland is convinced his Wales team can mount a serious bid for the World Cup.

At the end of seven weeks together, they finally threw off the shackles and were simply irresistible, accumulating the second-highest score in Championship history – and the biggest in 14 years. Their second-half display in Rome on Saturday was Welsh rugby at its finest, mixing verve and ambition with abandon.

The Stadio Olimpico was a fitting stage for such a display, though it was a shame we had to wait so long.

Until Liam Williams slipped through, followed swiftly by George North’s hat-trick, a Wales wing had not crossed the line in the Championship as Gatland veered ever further from the nation’s traditions. But when points were needed, after a sloppy first-half display, Wales broke loose.

They weathered the Italian storm and unleashed the frightening finishing prowess of North, Scott Williams and Rhys Webb.

“We knew what we had to do and we showed what we’re capable of,” said centre Jamie Roberts. “The great thing is the composure after half-time. We knew the first half would be difficult but we also knew at half-time we were about to break [Italy] and the patience we showed was good. That’s a sign of mature players and a mature team.

“We’re in a better place this time than before the last World Cup. The core of players are still together but the squad is stronger and more experienced.”

Wales are likely to have the most settled and experienced team of all the home nations at the World Cup. The majority of them were together at the last tournament in 2011 when they came within a point – and a red card – of reaching the final. They had the element of surprise on their side then, having had a similar Six Nations to this after losing at home to England in the opening game.

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Of their last 17 campaigns, including the Six Nations, autumn series, summer tours and World Cup, Wales have lost the opening game in 14.

“Ultimately, we are pleased with winning four from five but we’re kicking ourselves about the first game against England,” said Roberts. “We are notoriously slow starters in the Six Nations and were rusty after just two weeks prep together. We can’t hide from that fact, but we know when we get together for a long period of time, we are a bloody good team. As showed at the last World Cup.”

Timing, as much as time, has been an issue for Wales, who remain prone to momentary lapses that can prove damaging, particularly in this Six Nations.

Leading 26-16 at Murrayfield, they allowed Jim Hamilton to score 35 seconds from time. Again in Italy, Wales were building an emphatic points advantage for the title only for their front-row replacements to lose concentration at a scrum; Leonardo Sarto then scored for Italy in the last seconds after Gareth Davies had failed to gather a simple interception with the try-line at his mercy.

That 14-point turnaround in the final two minutes saw Wales finish third instead of first. But in their defensive effort against Ireland and attacking display in Rome, there is plenty for Gatland to build on – and for World Cup group rivals England and Australia to fear.