Warren Gatland is hoping for ‘ecstasy rather than agony’ as he looks to finally end Wales’ nine-Test losing streak against Fiji

Warren Gatland on Friday said he relished the pressure of ending Wales’ nine-Test losing streak and hoped for ‘ecstasy rather than agony’ against Fiji on Sunday.

Gatland’s only wins last season came in uncapped matches. Wales are looking to get back on track in their November opener before further clashes with Australia and South Africa.

‘Every loss is a bind,’ said Gatland, after naming Blair Murray for a Wales debut on the wing just months after he arrived from New Zealand.

‘But I relish those challenges in terms of the pressure. If you’ve lost a game in the last minute or won it in the last minute, what comes into the reckoning is not often the performance. It’s the result. That’s what people look at. When you’re coaching club rugby, you do have some time over the season to fail as you’re trying things.

‘In international rugby, there is a lot of pressure on you. Hopefully on Sunday, there’s ecstasy rather than agony.’

Gatland’s side should beat Fiji on Sunday but would equal their worst-ever streak with defeat

The game will be Wales’ November opener before  clashes with Australia and South Africa

A loss to Fiji would make it 10 straight international defeats for Wales and equal the worst record in the country’s history – one which dates back to the Steve Hansen era.

But with the return of some much-needed international experience, Wales should have enough for victory. Gareth Anscombe is back at fly-half and will kick goals.

His fellow Gloucester team-mates Tomos Williams and Max Llewellyn also start in the back division. Interestingly, Wales will have top former Welsh referee Nigel Owens in their coaching box for the Fiji game, advising them on the decisions being made on the field. Fiji’s side sees the return of their internationals based in England and France after they missed last Saturday’s hammering by Scotland.

Wales have only ever lost to Fiji once, famously at the 2007 World Cup. Gatland has urged his men to get back to winning ways and put themselves in contention to tour Australia with the British & Irish Lions next summer.

‘At the moment with Wales it’s about how do we go about getting as many players as we can on the Lions tour,’ said Gatland. ‘There’s a chance for those players to put their hands up and potentially be in the frame.

‘I see that as part of my job to do the best I can to promote players to play at the highest possible level.’