WARREN GATLAND has hailed Wales' selection depth as he prepares for his final Six Nations Championship in charge.

Wales kick off the tournament against France in Paris on Friday, with many observers feeling they will mount a major title challenge.

It is six years since Wales won the competition, yet they head to the French capital after building a nine-game unbeaten run that stretches back to halfway through last season's Six Nations.

Key to that impressive sequence has been the emergence of new Test match talent which augurs well for Wales' World Cup campaign later this year.

Players like lock Adam Beard - he has yet to lose a game in Wales colours - wing Josh Adams, flanker Aaron Wainwright, prop Dillon Lewis and scrum-half Tomos Williams have all enhanced Gatland's selection options.

And it is one of the reasons why he is so enthused about another Six Nations campaign - his 10th at the helm - and the World Cup mission that awaits.

"I am really excited, because for the last three or four years we have concentrated on trying to build the depth," he said.

"We did still struggle with that in 2015 (World Cup), so that has definitely been a focus.

"I think the depth we have created now has given us so much more competition.

"Players are a little bit more on edge about being selected, not so secure about selection with some youngsters coming through, so we are in a healthy spot."

Gatland names his team for Paris on Wednesday, having received a triple boost with Liam Williams, Gareth Davies and Ross Moriarty all fit and available.