Gatland surprised queuers, turning up to witness first-hand the enthusiasm of supporters keen to follow his side for every second of their upcoming world cup journey.
Wales face Ireland and Italy at the Millennium Stadium in the build up to England 2015 this summer with tickets starting at just £20, with £10 concession, for each game.
Ireland are up first on Saturday 8th August (ko 2.30pm) and Wales also travel to the Aviva Stadium for a return fixture, before Italy come to Cardiff on Saturday 5th September (ko 5.00pm).
“Both matches against Ireland will be physical encounters, both at home and away and it should be ideal preparation ahead of the World Cup,” said Gatland.
“To be facing the six nations champions, which is something we didn’t know at the time the fixtures were arranged, has worked out really well for us.
“Then Italy will be a different prospect altogether, by then we will have selected our Rugby World Cup squad.
“We are in an incredibly tough group and that’s not just because of the teams that we are facing.
“We have a five day turnaround before we play Fiji in particular and we are going to need to make sure the whole squad is in shape.”
Gatland will name his extended training squad in early June and the first opportunity to find out if the squad’s meticulous RWC preparations – which include training camps in Qatar and Fiesch in July – have paid off in a match environment will be on home turf against the Irish.
Then his squad travels to North Wales for another training camp at Parc Eirias before returning to the familiar surroundings of a return to Spala, Poland, the scene of the bulk of their 2011 RWC preparation, for eight days.
Wales name their final 31-man RWC squad for the 2015 tournament in England on Monday 31st August, just days before his side faces Italy in the second of the Dove Men Tests.
The Azzurri will provide the final test for Wales before rugby’s showpiece tournament kicks-off for them with a home clash against Uraguay at the Millennium Stadium a fortnight later and is a genuine opportunity for those who can’t lay their hands on RWC tickets to watch their heroes in action.
“These matches are a great opportunity for the fans to get one last look at the team before the world cup starts and to let the players know that they are behind them,” said Gatland.
“We have already discussed our extended squad and there are one or two players who have the potential to impress the coaches starting with the Ospreys this Friday night.
“I’ve spoken to the coaches at the regions and let them know who we are looking at and left it up to them if they want to tell the players or not.
“There are a couple of youngsters in the frame but if you look at our squad as a whole it has been quite settled since 2011 and we are lucky in that we have senior players who could still be around until 2019.”
Tickets are available from wru.wales/tickets, by calling Ticketmaster on 0844 847 1881, in person from the WRU Ticket Office on Westgate Street or your local club. One week booking fee holiday applies to the WRU website.
Group offers include: 10% off orders over ten adult tickets or more, Family package for £50 (2 adult, 2 U16’s), two adults free when eight concessions are purchased.
“The booking fees have been waived on all ticket purchases for the matches, against Ireland and Italy in the Dove Men Tests this summer, for the first week of public sale via our website,” added a Welsh Rugby Union spokesperson.
“Over 50 per cent of all tickets available across the two games also fall into the lowest price category of £20, with a £10 concession for children, making these international matches more accessible than ever and opening up the opportunity for anyone who wants to see Wales’ world cup squad in action at the Millennium Stadium ahead of world rugby’s showpiece event in September.
“We also have some excellent group offers available with ten per cent off orders over ten adult tickets or more, two adults free with every eight concession tickets bought and a family ticket for just £50.”
Dove Men Tests:
Wales v Ireland, Millennium Stadium, Saturday 8th August, Kick-off 2.30pm, priced at £50, £35 and £20 (£10 under 16 concessions)
Wales v Italy, Millennium Stadium, Saturday 5th September, Kick-off 5.00pm, priced at £35 and £20 (£10 under 16 concessions)
