Warren Gatland believes the New Zealand Test is imperative to progress © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Warren Gatland

Teams: Wales

Warren Gatland has spoken out on the power struggle between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the Welsh regions, saying that he believes the autumn clash with New Zealand is vital to Wales' progress ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

The 2008 Grand Slam winning coach has written to the four regions to lay out his case as the Blues, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons have resorted to legal action in order to prevent the release of players for the November 7 international at the Millenium Stadium. They argue that the match falls outside the international window, but Gatland says that his players need the exposure to top class opposition to continue their improvement.

Speaking to The Western Mail, Gatland acknowledged that there was financial motives behind the regions' protests, but he appealed to their perspective as he pointed to the bigger picture when asking for a 13 day window to prepare his side for the visit of the men from his homeland.

"I realise that a whole lot of this is down to money and finance and I am not privy to everything that has gone on," he said. "From my point of view, I don't think I have asked for anything special from the regions. I've written to them with our programme for the next year saying that the 13 days' preparation time before autumn games and the Six Nations is the thing that is vital. That's all I am looking for.

"The bottom line is that the New Zealand game is extremely important for all of us. I have always said that our players need the opportunity of playing the best teams in the world as regularly as possible The way we have improved in the last few years has a lot to do with that. In some ways it's the only way to get better.

Gatland believes that the performance of the international players can have a halo effect for the regions who would benefit from the feelgood factor of strong performances in the autumn. And the former Ireland coach says that the performance of the Welsh players on the Lions tour to South Africa showed that playing against better teams improves players.

"Look, the Welsh players were outstanding for the Lions in South Africa and the fact they played the Springboks three times for Wales in the year leading up to that certainly helped. So we need the political issues to be resolved. I am conscious of the importance of the regions doing well. But for that to happen it is also important for Wales to do well this autumn and going forward.

"If we don't, and we are well beaten by say New Zealand, then it has a knock-on effect for everyone, not just the Welsh Rugby Union. It affects the regions too, financially, and through sponsorship and crowds as well. Let's be aware, the real finance of the game is generated by the national team."